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Summary: Management of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) has recently undergone dramatic changes, prompting the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) to issue recommendations in 2013; however, it remains unclear whether real‐world CML management is consistent with these goals. We report results of UK TARGET CML, a retrospective observational study of 257 patients with chronic‐phase CML who had been prescribed a first‐line TKI between 2013 and 2017, most of whom received first‐line imatinib (n = 203). Although 44% of patients required ≥1 change of TKI, these real‐world data revealed that molecular assessments were frequently missed, 23% of patients with ELN‐defined treatment failure did not switch TKI, and kinase domain mutation analysis was performed in only 49% of patients who switched TKI for resistance. Major molecular response (MMR; BCR‐ABL1IS ≤0·1%) and deep molecular response (DMR; BCR‐ABL1IS ≤0·01%) were observed in 50% and 29%, respectively, of patients treated with first‐line imatinib, and 63% and 54%, respectively, receiving a second‐generation TKI first line. MMR and DMR were also observed in 77% and 44% of evaluable patients with ≥13 months follow‐up, receiving a second‐generation TKI second line. We found little evidence that cardiovascular risk factors were considered during TKI management. These findings highlight key areas for improvement in providing optimal care to patients with CML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myeloma is one of the most common malignancies that results in osteolytic lesions of the spine. Complications, including pathological fractures of the vertebrae and spinal cord compression, may cause severe pain, deformity and neurological sequelae. They may also have significant consequences for quality of life and prognosis for patients. For patients with known or newly diagnosed myeloma presenting with persistent back or radicular pain/weakness, early diagnosis of spinal myeloma disease is therefore essential to treat and prevent further deterioration. Magnetic resonance imaging is the initial imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of spinal disease. Treatment of the underlying malignancy with systemic chemotherapy together with supportive bisphosphonate treatment reduces further vertebral damage. Additional interventions such as cement augmentation, radiotherapy, or surgery are often necessary to prevent, treat and control spinal complications. However, optimal management is dependent on the individual nature of the spinal involvement and requires careful assessment and appropriate intervention throughout. This article reviews the treatment and management options for spinal myeloma disease and highlights the value of defined pathways to enable the proper management of patients affected by it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2001, reference to the use of imaging in the British Committee for Standards in Haematology guidelines for the diagnosis and management of myeloma was confined to the standard use of plain X-rays in the diagnostic skeletal survey and emergency use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the setting of cord compression. Since then, there has been a steady rise in interest in the use of various imaging techniques in the management of myeloma. The purpose of imaging in the management of myeloma includes the assessment of the extent and severity of the disease at presentation, the identification and characterisation of complications, and the assessment of response to therapy. Plain radiography, CT, and MR imaging are generally established examination techniques in myeloma whilst positron emission tomography (PET) and 99Technetium sestamibi (MIBI) imaging are promising newer scanning techniques under current evaluation. These stand-alone imaging guidelines discuss recommendations for the use of each modality of imaging at diagnosis and in the follow up of patients with myeloma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purified preparations of circulating leukaemic blast cells from patients with acute myeloid (M1–7) or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and the myeloid or lymphoid cells from patients with chronic myeloid or lymphocytic forms of leukaemia, were incorporated into clots prepared from fibrinogen and plasminogen. Patterns of lysis were followed and measured by light transmission in a microtitre plate reader. Mature polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell fractions from normal individuals were studied concurrently for comparison. Blast cells from the myeloid forms of acute leukaemia (M2–4) and ‘myeloid’ cell fractions from patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia were capable of lysing plasminogen-containing clots; this activity was neutralized by addition of immunoglobulin against urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), but not by anti-tissue plasmogen activator (t-PA). Mature polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells from normal individuals lacked lytic activity, as did the leukaemic cells from patients with acute lymphoblastic or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Lysed blast cells showed the presence of free plasminogen activator on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) with overlay zymography, also neutralized by anti-u-PA, whereas normal polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells did not. These observations suggest that mechanisms underlying some forms of severe bleeding in acute myeloid leukaemias have a critical fibrinolytic component generated by the blast cells themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that is conducted to compare safety and efficacy of pulsed imatinib with or without G-CSF versus continuous imatinib in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukaemia patients. The study reveals that no significant differences were found between pulsed imatinib and continuous imatinib during two years follow-up. A table is presented depicting Patient responses at trial entry for five years follow-up.

The article presents a retrospective study of patients proceeding to second autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) after bortezomib-based re-induction therapy. The study was based in Kaplan Meier plots using the computer program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) developed by International Business Machines Corp.'s (IBM). It ends that ASCT can be as consolidative therapy after a bortezomib-containing regimen as salvage therapy in relapsed multiple myeloma.