Significant Prognostic Factors For Event-free Survival Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of CDKN2A/2B gene in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a retrospective case-control study

ABSTRACT In this retrospective case-control study involving 424 pediatric patients diagnosed with Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), the investigation focused on analyzing the clinical characteristics and prognosis associated with the Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/2B (CDKN2A/2B) gene. Treatment and evaluation followed the South China Children's Leukemia Group-ALL-2016 protocol (SCCLG-ALL-2016). Among the cohort, 92 patients (21.7%) exhibited CDKN2A/2B gene deletions, with 11.1% homozygous and 10.6% heterozygous deletions. Notably, ALL patients that do have CDKN2A/2B gene deletions tended to present at an older age (P = 0.001), demonstrate hepatosplenomegaly on palpation (P < 0.001), and exhibit a higher incidence of Central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) (P = 0.037) and T-ALL (P = 0.007). A significant correlation was observed between ALL that does have CDKN2A/2B gene deletions and ETV6::RUNX1-positive (8.7% vs. 19.3%, P = 0.017) and IKZF1 gene deletions (20.7% vs. 8.4%, P = 0.001). Survival analysis of 392 patients revealed no significant differences in 5-year relapse, Overall survival (OS), or Event-free survival (EFS) between ALL that does/ does not have CDKN2A/2B gene deletions. Subgroup analysis highlighted poorer prognosis among hepatosplenomegaly patients in the CDKN2A/2B gene deletion group, with a 5-year EFS of 81.8%, 95%CI (0.695–0.963), P = 0.05. Hepatosplenomegaly emerged as the most significant prognostic factor for EFS [HR = 2.306, 95%CI (1.192–4.461), P = 0.013]. Cox regression analyses identified covariates influencing prognosis, ALL with the CDKN2A/2B gene showing no significant impact on outcomes. In conclusion, while ALL that does have CDKN2A/2B gene deletions is associated with certain clinical characteristics and genetic aberrations, they did not significantly impact OS or EFS. Furthermore, subgroup analysis revealed a potential prognostic role of ALL that does have CDKN2A/2B deletions presenting with hepatosplenomegaly on palpation, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive risk stratification in treatment decision-making for this subgroup.

Comparable outcomes of allogeneic peripheral blood versus bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a sibling donor for pediatric patients.

Traditionally, bone marrow (BM) has been preferred as a source of stem cells (SCs) in pediatric hematopoietic SC transplantation (HSCT); however, the use of peripheral blood SCs (PBSC) has recently increased. With advancing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, whether the BM is still a better SC source than PB in sibling donor HSCT remains controversial. Here, we compared the results of BM transplantation (BMT) and PBSC transplantation (PBSCT) in pediatric patients with malignant or non-malignant diseases receiving sibling HSCT using a total of 7.5mg/kg of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG). We retrospectively reviewed children who received HSCT from a sibling donor between 2005 and 2020 at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Of the 86 patients, 40 underwent BMT, and 46 underwent PBSCT. Fifty- six patients had malignant diseases, whereas thirty patients had non-malignant diseases. All conditioning regimens comprised ATG. Busulfan-based myeloablative conditioning regimens were administered to patients with malignant diseases and approximately half of those with non-malignant diseases. The remaining half of the patients with non-malignant diseases were administered cyclophosphamide-based reduced- intensity conditioning regimens. According to studies conducted at our center, all BM donors received G-CSF before harvest to achieve early engraftment. In all 86 patients (47 males and 39 females), the median age at the time of HSCT was 11.4 (range, 0.7 - 24.6) years. The median follow-up period was 57.9 (range, 0.9-228.6) months, and the corresponding values for those with BM and PBSC were 77 (range, 2.4-228.6) months and 48.7 (range, 0.9-213.2) months, respectively. Engraftment failure occurred in one patient with BM and no patient with PBSC. The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD with grades II-IV was higher in PBSC (BM 2.5%, PBSC 26.1%, p = 0.002), but there was no significant difference in those with grades III-IV acute GVHD (BM 0%, PBSC 6.5%, p = 0.3703) and extensive chronic GVHD (BM 2.5%, PBSC 11.6%, p = 0.1004). There were no significant differences in treatment-related mortality (TRM) (BM 14.2%, PBSC 6.8%, p = 0.453), 5-year event-free survival (EFS) (BM 71.5%, PBSC 76.2%, p = 0.874), and overall survival (OS) rates (BM 80.8%, PBSC 80.3%, p = 0.867) between BM and PBSC in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, which included all factors with p < 0.50 in the univariate analysis, there was no significant prognostic factor for EFS or OS. There was no significant difference in the relapse incidence between BM and PBSC among patients with malignant diseases (BM 14.2%, PBSC 6.8%, p = 0.453). Additionally, there were no significant differences in the TRM, 5-year EFS, and OS rates between malignant and non-malignant diseases nor between the busulfan-based myeloablative regimen and reduced-intensity chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide. In this study, we showed no significant differences in EFS, OS, TRM, and GVHD, except for acute GVHD grades II-IV, between BMT and PBSCT from sibling donors, using ATG (a total of 7.5mg/kg). Therefore, PB collection, which is less invasive for donors and less labor-intensive for doctors, could also be considered an acceptable SC source for sibling donor HSCT in children.

Improvement in the outcomes of mantle cell lymphoma in the last decade: a real-life non interventional study of the Croatian Cooperative Group for Hematologic Diseases

AimTo compare the outcomes of Croatian patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) who started treatment in 2007 and 2008 (historical cohort) and of those who started treatment between 2015 and 2017 (recent cohort).MethodsThe historical cohort consisted of 40 patients who started treatment with rituximab in 2007 and 2008. Data on the recent cohort, consisting of 89 patients, were collected retrospectively from the electronic databases of Croatian hospitals with hematology units. Demographic characteristics and data on induction regimens, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and rituximab maintenance in the first remission, event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were available for both cohorts, and data on cell morphology, mantle cell international prognostic index (MIPI), and Ki67 expression only for the recent cohort.ResultsThe recent cohort had significantly better two-year EFS and OS (EFS 58% vs 40%, P = 0.014; OS 80% vs 56%, P = 0.009), especially in patients below 65. In univariate analysis, induction regimen, ASCT, and maintenance were significant prognostic factors for EFS and the former two for OS. In the multivariate analysis, only ASCT remained significant. Bendamustine + rituximab (BR) induction improved the outcomes of non-transplantable patients over R-CHOP R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, steroid). Blastoid morphology and high MIPI were adverse prognostic factors for EFS and OS.ConclusionIn the last decade, the outcome of newly diagnosed MCL patients improved. ASCT in the first remission was the main contributor in transplantable patients and BR in non-transplantable. Regularly updated national guidelines may help in a timely adoption of new treatments, thus improving the results.

Age, American Thyroid Association Risk Group, and Response to Therapy Are Prognostic Factors in Children With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Against the background of increasing incidence, pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) frequently presents with advanced disease and high recurrence rates while prognosis remains excellent. We investigated the use of a pediatric classification and an adult response to therapy risk stratification for pediatric DTC patients and their implications for adaptation of treatment and follow-up. Data from patients aged <18 years with a diagnosis of primary DTC, registered with the German Pediatric Oncology Hematology-Malignant Endocrine Tumor registry since 1995, were analyzed. For risk prediction, patients were retrospectively assigned to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk groups and evaluated for response to therapy. By October 2019, 354 patients with DTC had been reported (median age at diagnosis 13.7 years, range 3.6-17.9) with lymph node and distant metastases in 74.3% and 24.5%. Mean follow-up was 4.1 years (range 0-20.6). Ten-year overall and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 98.9% and 78.1%. EFS was impaired for patients with lymph node and distant metastases (P < .001), positive postoperative thyroglobulin (P = .006), incomplete resection (P = .002), sequential surgeries to achieve total thyroidectomy (P = .042), invasion of capsule (P < .001) and lymph vessels (P = .005), infiltration of surrounding soft tissues (P < .001), tumor multifocality (P < .001), ATA intermediate- and high-risk group (P < .001), and age <10 years (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed age <10 years at diagnosis, ATA high-risk level, and poor response to therapy as significant negative prognostic factors for EFS. Age, ATA risk group, and response to therapy emerged as significant prognostic factors for EFS in pediatric patients with DTC, requiring risk-adapted individualized therapy and follow-up.

Prognostic value of SUVmax in breast cancer and comparative analyses of molecular subtypes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:To assess the prognostic capability of the maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) measured in the primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) by pretreatment fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and analyze outcomes according to the molecular breast cancer subtypes.Methods:The databases were systematically searched using keywords for breast cancer, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and SUVmax; the extracted studies reported at least 1 form of survival data, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival. Comparative analyses of the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for EFS and overall survival were performed to assess their correlations with SUVmax. The pooled HR was estimated using random-effects model according to the results of heterogeneity.Results:Thirteen eligible studies comprising 3040 patients with breast cancer were included. The pooled HRs of high SUVmax in the primary tumor and ALN were 3.01 (95% CI 1.83–4.97, P < .00001; I2 = 82%) and 3.72 (95% CI 1.15–12.01; I2 = 92%; P = .03), respectively. Patients with higher SUVmax demonstrated a poorer survival prognosis. Furthermore, comparative analyses according to the molecular subtypes demonstrated that the SUVmax in the primary tumor or ALN can be a predictive parameter in patients with the luminal subtype disease. Subtype analysis results indicated a significant association of the luminal group, with a HR of 2.65 (95% CI 1.31–5.37; I2 = 27%; P = .007).Conclusions:SUVmax from pretreatment is a significant prognostic factor for EFS in patients with breast cancer. Despite several limitations, correlation with molecular subtype (luminal type) was demonstrated. Further large-scale studies are required to investigate the precise prognostic capability of SUVmax.

WT1 Expression in Peripheral Blood at Diagnosis and During the Course of Early Consolidation Treatment Correlates With Survival in Patients With Intermediate and Poor-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia

BackgroundUp to 55% of non-APL acute myeloid leukemias (AML) lack a molecular target suitable for standardized disease monitoring. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of WT1 gene expression at early stages of intensive treatment. Patients and MethodsA total of 106 consecutive patients with intermediate and high-risk AML who had WT1 expression at diagnosis >500 copies/104ABL and who achieved remission after 1 to 2 cycles of induction treatment were analyzed. WT1 expression was measured in peripheral blood using a standardized European LeukemiaNet method. Overexpression was defined as >50 copies/104ABL. The median follow-up was 30 months. ResultsPatients with normal versus high WT1 expression after 2 cycles of chemotherapy had overall survival (OS) at 3 years of 66% versus 41% (P = .01); event-free survival (EFS) 45% versus 22% (P = .01). Prognostic significance of WT1 expression after 2 cycles of treatment was maintained in the group of patients treated with chemotherapy alone without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in first line treatment (OS 70% vs. 36%, P = .02; EFS 35% vs. 0%, P = .03). Significant prognostic factors for EFS on multivariate analysis were the achievement of molecular remission (<50 copies of WT1) at any time during treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 0.47, P = .04) and increased WT1 expression after 2 cycles of chemotherapy (HR 2.0, P = .03). ConclusionIncreased WT1 expression after 2 cycles of chemotherapy is a negative prognostic factor for survival. WT1 remains a valuable molecular marker in AML without any leukemia-specific mutation, especially if next generation sequencing and/or digital polymerase chain reaction are not routinely available.

Pathological Fracture and Prognosis of High-Grade Osteosarcoma of the Extremities: An Analysis of 2,847 Consecutive Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group (COSS) Patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate potential correlations between pathologic fractures (PFs) and prognosis of patients with primary central high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities. We retrospectively analyzed 2,847 patients registered in the Consecutive Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group database with primary central high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities, treated between 1980 and 2010. Intended treatment included pre- and postoperative chemotherapy and surgery. Univariable and multivariable survival analyses were performed for all patients and then differentiated for adult and pediatric (≤ 18 years at time of diagnosis) patients. A total of 2,193 patients were ≤ 18 years of age; 11.3% of all patients had PFs. In the overall cohort, presence of PF correlated significantly with tumor site, histologic subtype, relative tumor size, and primary metastases, but not with body mass index or local surgical remission. In univariable analysis, 5-year overall survival (OAS) of patients with and without PF was 63% versus 71%, respectively (P = .007), and 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 51% versus 58% (P = .026). In pediatric patients, OAS and EFS did not differ significantly between patients with and without PF. In adults, 5-year OAS in patients with and without PF was 46% versus 69% (P < .001), and 5-year EFS was 36% versus 56% (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, PF was not a statistically significant factor for OAS or EFS in the total cohort or in pediatric patients. In adult patients, PF remained an independent prognostic factor for OAS (P = .013; hazard ratio [HR], 1.893). It was not a significant prognostic factor for EFS (P = .263; HR, 1.312). In this largest study to date with extremity osteosarcomas, we observed the occurrence of PF to correlate with inferior OAS expectancies in adult but not in pediatric patients.

GLUT1 as a Prognostic Factor for Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Correlation with PD-L1 and PD-L2 Expression.

BackgroundGlucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) expression is linked to glucose metabolism and tissue hypoxia. A recent study reported that GLUT1 was significantly associated with programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) as a therapeutic target in relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (cHL). The purpose of this study was to measure the expression of GLUT1 and assess its prognostic significance and potential relationships with PD-L1, programmed death ligand 2 (PD-L2), and programmed death-1 (PD-1) expressions in cHL.MethodsDiagnostic tissues from 125 patients with cHL treated with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine were evaluated retrospectively via immunohistochemical analysis of GLUT1, PD-L1, PD-L2, and PD-1 expression.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 4.83 years (range, 0.08 to 17.33 years). GLUT1, PD-L1, PD-L2, and PD-1 were expressed in 44.8%, 63.2%, 9.6%, and 13.6% of the specimens, respectively. Positive correlations were found between GLUT1 and PD-L1 expression (p = .004) and between GLUT1 and PD-L2 expression (p = .031). GLUT1 expression in Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells was not associated with overall survival or event-free survival (EFS) in the entire cohort (p = .299 and p = .143, respectively). A subgroup analysis according to the Ann Arbor stage illustrated that GLUT1 expression in HRS cells was associated with better EFS in advanced-stage disease (p = .029). A multivariate analysis identified GLUT1 as a marginally significant prognostic factor for EFS (p = .068).ConclusionsThis study suggests that GLUT1 expression is associated with better clinical outcomes in advanced-stage cHL and is significantly associated with PD-L1 and PD-L2 expressions.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in chemotherapy-sensitive lymphoblastic lymphoma: treatment outcome and prognostic factor analysis.

The study evaluated the effectiveness of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in the treatment of lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL). We retrospectively analyzed the data from 41 patients with chemotherapy-sensitive LL who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from December 1989 to December 2009 in a single institution. HSCT was conducted as first-line consolidation therapy and salvage therapy in 36 and 5 patients, respectively. The median follow-up was 97.1 months (range, 24.6-173.1 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rate were 64% and 47% for the initially treated patients, respectively, and were both 20% for the relapsed ones. Bone marrow (BM) involvement and chemotherapy cycles prior to transplantation were identified as significant prognostic factors for EFS in multivariate analysis. These results confirm that AHSCT is a reasonable option for chemotherapy-sensitive LL patients in first complete remission (CR1).

Whole Lung Irradiation for Adults With Pulmonary Metastases From Ewing Sarcoma

To evaluate feasibility and patterns of failure in adult patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES) treated with whole lung irradiation (WLI) for pulmonary metastases. Retrospective review of all ES patients treated at age 18 or older with 12-15 Gy WLI for pulmonary metastases at a single institution between 1990 and 2014. Twenty-six patients met the study criteria. The median age at WLI was 23 years (range, 18-40). The median follow-up time of the surviving patients was 3.8 years (range, 1.0-9.6). The 3-year cumulative incidence of pulmonary relapse (PR) was 55%, with a 3-year cumulative incidence of PR as the site of first relapse of 42%. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 38 and 45%, respectively. Patients with exclusively pulmonary metastases had better outcomes than did those with extrapulmonary metastases: the 3-year PR was 45% in those with exclusively lung metastases versus 76% in those with extrapulmonary metastases (P=.01); the 3-year EFS was 49% versus 14% (P=.003); and the 3-year OS was 61% versus 13% (P=.009). Smoking status was a significant prognostic factor for EFS: the 3-year EFS was 61% in nonsmokers versus 11% in smokers (P=.04). Two patients experienced herpes zoster in the radiation field 6 and 12 weeks after radiation. No patients experienced pneumonitis or cardiac toxicity, and no significant acute or late sequelae were observed among the survivors. WLI in adult patients with ES and lung metastases is well tolerated and is associated with freedom from PR of 45% at 3 years. Given its acceptable toxicity and potential therapeutic effect, WLI for pulmonary metastases in ES should be considered for adults, as it is in pediatric patients. All patients should be advised to quit smoking before receiving WLI.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a single center experience.

BackgroundAnaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is uncommon in children, accounting for approximately 15% of all cases of childhood non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite many studies attempting new treatment strategies, treatment outcomes have not significantly improved, and the optimal treatment for pediatric ALCL has not been established.MethodsThe records of newly diagnosed ALCL patients at our institute between July 1998 and April 2013 were reviewed. We evaluated the general characteristics of the patients, chemotherapy regimens, overall survival (OS) rates, and event-free survival (EFS) rates.ResultsTwenty-eight ALCL patients were eligible. The median age at diagnosis was 10.8 years. Lymph node involvement was the most common presentation (79%). CCG-5941, a multi-agent T-cell lineage chemotherapy, was the predominant treatment regimen (57%). The five-year OS and EFS rates were 88% and 69%, respectively. Stage, the presence of B symptoms, lung involvement, and bone marrow involvement were significant prognostic factors for EFS (P=0.02, 0.01, 0.01, and 0.02, respectively). Eight patients relapsed, and three died during the study period. Four of the eight patients who relapsed were treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT-ASCT). Two of the four who had undergone HDCT-ASCT developed secondary relapses and were subsequently treated with allogeneic SCT or brentuximab.ConclusionWe found that treatment outcomes with multi-agent chemotherapy in children with ALCL were similar to those of previous reports, and that relapsed patients could be salvaged with HDCT-ASCT or allogeneic SCT. A prospective, larger cohort study is warranted to define the optimal treatment for pediatric ALCL.

Ki‐67 expression as a prognostic factor in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients treated with rituximab plus CHOP

Assessment of tumor cell proliferation based on Ki-67 expression yielded conflicting prognostic predictions of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The introduction of rituximab to the DLBCL treatment regime has led to alterations in the significance of previous prognostic factors. We analyzed Ki-67 expression and its correlation with prognosis in 144 patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab plus CHOP (R-CHOP) between July 2003 and January 2008. The complete response (CR) rates following R-CHOP administration were not significantly different, based on Ki-67 expression status (P = 0.104). However, higher rates of relapse were observed in the high Ki-67 expression group (Ki-67 >or= 85%, n = 46) with 25.0%, compared to 10.0% in the low Ki-67 expression group (Ki-67 < 85%, n = 88) (P = 0.040). The 2-yr event-free survival (EFS) rates were 44.3% and 74.1% in the high and low Ki-67 expression groups, respectively (P = 0.011). The 2-yr overall survival (OS) rate was 66.4% in the high Ki-67 expression group and 82.2% in the low Ki-67 expression group (P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, Ki-67 expression was a significant prognostic factor for EFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.909; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.261-6.708; P = 0.012]. Ki-67 was associated with OS but with borderline significance (HR = 2.876; 95% CI, 0.972-8.508; P = 0.056). Elevated Ki-67 expression seems to be associated with higher relapse after CR and inferior EFS in patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP.

Clinicopathological, but not socio-demographic factors affect the prognosis in cervical carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors, such as clinical, histological and socio-demographic features affecting the event-free and overall survival of the patients with stage I-III carcinoma of the cervix. Eighty-nine patients with International FIGO stage I-III cervical cancer were treated radiation therapy and follow-up of 5-7 years were analyzed for various clinical, histopathological and socio-demographic factors influencing prognosis. Survival estimations were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and were compared using the un-weighted log-rank test and multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model. The median age was 46 years (range, 28-65 years). The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OAS), along with standard error (SE), were 65.2% (7.0%) and 81.4% (6.1%), respectively. Significant prognostic factors for EFS include, stage (P=0.019), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P=0.013), parametrial (PMT) involvement (P=0.025), number of parametria involved (P=0.000) and tumor size (P=0.034). However, number of parametrial invasion was only significant prognostic factors for overall survival (P=0.015); 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in patients with both PMT involved (58%) than with one PMT involved (>85%). Using a multivariable analysis, we found that number of PMT involved being the only independent significant factor for the development of recurrent disease. None of the socio-demographic factors analyzed were of prognostic importance on event-free and overall survival in cervical cancer patients. Several clinicopathological factors were of prognostic significance but none of the socio-demographic factors analyzed had any role in determining patient outcome. Hence, in cervical cancer, prognosis is more likely dependent on clinical than socio-demographic factors unlike several other cancers where their significant role is well documented. Study of clinical and demographic characteristics for their influence on patient survival could help design better patient management strategies.

Ten Year Follow up Analysis of the OSHO Phase III Trial (AML 96) Comparing Different Application Modes of AraC in Patients below 60 Years with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): No Impact of AraCApplication Mode on Remission Rate, Toxicity, Disease-Free Survival or Overall Survival

Clinical trials on different cytarabine doses for treatment of AML provide evidence of a dose response effect, but also for increase toxicity after high dose AraC (HDAC). Pharmacokinetic measurements of cytarabine-triphosphate (AraC-CTP), which is the most relevant cytotoxic metabolite of AraC, have revealed its formation in leukemic cells to be saturated with infusion rates above 250 mg/m2/h, this being significantly lower than used in HDAC schedules.Methods: Based on a pharmacological model and encouraging results of a phase II study we conducted a prospective randomized multicenter clinical trial comparing the effects of two different application modes of AraC in patients up to 60 years with untreated newly diagnosed AML. Patients were randomized to receive AraC at two different infusion rates (IR) during induction and consolidation treatment:arm A/experimental: 1 × 2 g/m2/d AraC over 8 hours (IR 250 mg/m2/h)arm B/standard: 2 × 1 g/m2/d AraC over 3 hours (IR 333 mg/m2/h).Induction and first consolidation consisted of AraC (days 1, 3, 5, 7) in combination with an anthracycline (Idarubicine 12 mg/m2 or Mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2, days 1–3). The final dosage points (AraC day 7 and anthracycline day 3) were excluded from the second consolidation. The third consolidation consisted of either allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation or of chemotherapy identical to second consolidation.Results: From 02/97 to 04/02 419 patients were enrolled in the study. The present analysis is based on 361 eligible and evaluable patients with a median follow up of 7 years. CR was reached in 249/361 (69%; 95%CI: 65%–74%) patients. No statistically significant differences were detected between arms A and B with regard to CR-rate (69% vs 69%) or early death rate (11% vs 8%). Hematological recovery of median white blood cell count (WBC) > 109/l and median platelets (plt) > 50 × 109/l revealed no difference between arms A and B after induction (WBC day 22 vs 22, p=0,68; plt day 25 vs 26, p=0,41) and consolidation (WBC day 28 vs 27, p=0,07; plt day 42 vs 40, p= 0,58). The event free survival (EFS) after 5 years is 0,25 ± 0,03 % for all patients with an overall survival of 0,31 ± 0,03 % after 5 years. For the purposes of analysis, the 83 transplant patients (23 allogeneic MRD, 14 allogeneic MUD and 46 autologous) were censored at time of transplant. No statistically significant difference between arms A and B in regard to EFS (0,25 ± 0,04 vs 0,25 ± 0,04, p=0,99), relapse incidence (0,63 ± 0,06 vs 0,60 ± 0,06, p=0,89), overall survival (0,32 ± 0,04 vs 0,30 ± 0,04, p=0,44) and therapy associated mortality (0,18 ± 0,04 vs 0,17 ± 0,03, p=0,95) were detectable after adjustment of prognostic factors. An analysis of risk factors by multivariate cox regression model confirmed cytogenetics at diagnosis to be the most important risk factor for CR rate (p<10−6) and for EFS (p<10−6). Other significant prognostic factors for EFS evaluated in the multivariate analysis were de novo vs secondary AML (p=0,0001), WBC (continuous) (p=0,001), LDH (>1–4 × vs other ULN) (p=0,008) and FAB classification (FAB M0,6,7 vs FAB M1,2,4,5) (p=0,0005). EFS after 5 years shows a significant correlation to cytogenetics (p<10−6) with 0,71±0,1, 0,27±0,05, 0,20±0,06 and 0,03±0,03 for favorable, normal, other and unfavorable cytogenetic karyotype, respectively.Conclusion: We conclude that the application of AraC at the presumptive saturating infusion rate of 250 mg/m2/h results in comparable remission rates, toxicity, event free survival and overall survival as compared to the standard IR with 333 mg/m2/h.

CD5 expression is potentially predictive of poor outcome among biomarkers in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma receiving rituximab plus CHOP therapy

BackgroundSeveral biomarkers indicating poor prognosis have been reassessed in patients receiving rituximab combination chemotherapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, few studies have investigated outcome in relation to a combination of these biomarkers. In addition, no large-scale studies have reassessed the outcome of patients with CD5-positive DLBCL treated with rituximab. Patients and methodsWe conducted a retrospective study and investigated the predictive value of three biomarkers—BCL2, germinal center (GC) phenotype and CD5—in 121 DLBCL patients treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone. ResultsCD5-positive patients showed significantly poorer event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) than CD5-negative patients (2-year EFS, 18% versus 73%, P < 0.001; 2-year OS, 45% versus 91%, P = 0.001). However, no significant difference in outcome according to BCL2 or GC phenotype was observed. Multivariate analysis revealed that CD5 expression was a significant prognostic factor for EFS [hazard ratio 14.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.7–43.2] and OS (hazard ratio 20.3, 95% CI 3.6–114.4). ConclusionsCD5 expression was the only significant prognostic factor among the biomarkers examined in this study. Further studies with larger numbers are warranted to confirm the prognostic significance of CD5 expression for patients with DLBCL receiving rituximab-containing chemotherapy.

Prognostic Factors in Children With Extragonadal Malignant Germ Cell Tumors: A Pediatric Intergroup Study

To investigate prognostic factors for pediatric extragonadal malignant germ cell tumors (PEMGCT). Between 1990 and 1996, patients with stage I through IV PEMGCT were eligible for a trial of cisplatin dose intensity. We retrospectively investigated prognostic factors for PEMGCT, including age, stage, primary site, treatment, and elevated alfa fetoprotein by univariate and multivariate analysis. The 165 patients had a median age of 1.9 years (range, 3 days to 18.5 years); 109 were female; and 99 had alfa fetoprotein > or = 10,000. There were 30 stage I/II, 61 stage III, and 74 stage IV tumors; primary sites included 88 sacrococcygeal, 39 thoracic, and 38 others. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates with standard deviations were 83.4% +/- 3.7% and 79.0% +/- 4.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified age > or = 12 years as a highly significant prognostic factor for EFS (5-year EFS, 48.9% +/- 15.6% v 84.1% +/- 3.9%; P < .0001) and for OS (5-year OS, 53.7% +/- 14.9% v 88.5% +/- 3.4%; P < .0001), whereas treatment was of borderline significance (P = .0777). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression identified only age > or = 12 years as a significant prognostic factor for EFS (P = .0002). In multivariate Cox regression for OS, the combination of age and primary site was highly significant (P < .0001). Patients > or = 12 years of age with thoracic tumors had six times the risk of death compared with patients younger than 12 years with other primaries. Age is the most predictive factor of EFS in PEMGCT. There is a significant interaction between age and primary site, suggesting that patients > or = 12 years of age with thoracic tumors are a biologically distinct group.

Bone Marrow Microcirculation Parameter Amplitude A of Contrast-Enhanced Dynamic MRI Is a Prognostic Factor for Progressive Multiple Myeloma for Patients with Low Beta2-Microglobulin.

Introduction: We have previously shown that contrast-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) microcirculation parameters Amplitude A and distribution rate constant kep are significantly increased in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) compared to healthy controls and correlate with osteolytic bone involvement. Furthermore an elevated Amplitude A is associated with a high plasmacell-infiltration and increased microvessel density in bone marrow. We now evaluated the prognostic value of changes in microcirculation of bone marrow as detected by dMRI for overall (OAS) and event free survival (EFS) in patients with MM.Methods: Between 1999 and 2001 62 patients with progressive MM requiring chemotherapy according to international standards (6 newly diagnosed patients, 56 patients with relapse or refractory disease) were investigated with dMRI of the lumbar spine. OAS and EFS were updated for all patients in February 2005. The estimated median follow up was 4.5 years. All patients underwent standardized dMRI with high temporal resolution (T1w-turboFLASH) before start of therapy. The contrast uptake was quantified using a two compartment model with the output parameters Amplitude A and distribution constant rate kep reflecting bone marrow microcirculation. To examine the prognostic value of the findings of dMRI we used the Proportional Hazards model as proposed by Cox.Results: We recorded a correlation with borderline significance (p-value 0.1) between Amplitude A and EFS. We did not find a correlation of dMRI parameters with OAS. The multivariable analysis of Beta2-Microglobulin, age, Lactat Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Albumin revealed Beta2-Microglobulin as the only statistically significant prognostic factor for EFS in this group of patients. When patients were classified according to high or low Beta2-Microglobulin, Amplitude A was able to provide significant additional information characterizing EFS. Patients with low Beta2-Microglobulin and increased Amplitude A had significant shorter EFS than patients with low Beta2-Microglobulin and low Amplitude A.Conclusion: Our investigations indicate that dMRI parameter Amplitude A which reflects the increased bone marrow microcirculation and angiogenesis is a novel prognostic factor for progressive multiple myeloma in patients with low Beta2-Microglobulin. So a more precise differentiation of patients may be possible through dMRI. The prognostic impact of dMRI for newly diagnosed myeloma patients and patients with monoclonal gammopathie with undetermined signifikance will now be evaluated in a prospective study.

Thalidomide in combination with dexamethasone for pretreated patients with multiple myeloma: serum level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor as a predictive factor for response rate and for survival

The aim of this study was to assess the side effects and the efficacy of thalidomide alone or in combination with dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) and to evaluate possible predictive factors for response rate and survival. Twenty-nine pretreated patients were enrolled, including 13 patients with a relapse after high-dose chemotherapy. The median number of relapses was 3 (range: 1-7). Twenty-two patients received thalidomide in combination with dexamethasone and seven patients thalidomide alone. The dosage of thalidomide was 400 mg/day and the dosage of dexamethasone 20 mg/m2 daily for 4 consecutive days every 3 weeks. Cycles of dexamethasone were given until maximal decline of myeloma protein was achieved, whereas therapy with thalidomide was maintained until disease progression. Responses occurred in 62% of patients, including 5 (17%) complete remissions and 13 (45%) partial remissions. The median event-free survival (EFS) was 7.2 months and the median overall survival (OS) 26.1 months. In multivariate analysis, pretreatment serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were a significant prognostic factor for EFS, and those of beta2-microglobulin (beta2M) and sIL-2R for OS. Serum levels of sIL-2R significantly increased after 3 weeks of treatment in 89% of patients, possibly representing lymphocyte activation induced by thalidomide. Two patients died of septic complications within 3 months after starting treatment with thalidomide and dexamethasone and one patient of herpes encephalitis after 26 months of treatment with thalidomide alone. Also, one case of pneumonia and one case of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb occurred. Other side effects were somnolence, peripheral neuropathy, and bradycardia occurring in 35, 55, 38 and 55% of patients, respectively. The combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone is an effective therapy in heavily pretreated myeloma patients with a high response rate and acceptable toxicities. A powerful predictive factor both for EFS and OS was the pretreatment serum level of sIL-2R.