Search

The European Treatment and Outcome Study (EUTOS) long‐term survival (ELTS) score predicts disease‐specific death in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) being treated with imatinib during the chronic phase (CP) of the disease. However, it is unclear whether the ELTS score predicts CML‐related events or treatment responses. This study evaluated the predictive value of the ELTS score regarding prognosis and treatment response in patients with CML‐CP. Clinical data were retrospectively obtained from patients enrolled in the CML Cooperative Study Group (CML‐CSG), which included patients diagnosed with CML‐CP from April 2001 to January 2016, and treated with any tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as first‐line therapy. Among 342 eligible patients, the ELTS scores indicated low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk in 74%, 21%, and 5% of patients, respectively. Patients with high ELTS scores had significantly higher disease‐specific mortality and worse event‐free survival, progression‐free survival, and overall survival. Among four risk scores, including the Sokal, Hasford, EUTOS, and ELTS scores, risk stratification by the ELTS score had the highest predictive value in assessing patient prognosis, and also in treatment responses. In fact, the EUTOS and ELTS scores were able to predict the major molecular response within 12 months. Most importantly, the ELTS score was the only scoring system that predicted deep molecular response at any time, regardless of risk level (65.0%, 43.7%, and 23.5% in low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups, respectively). Compared to other risk scores, the ELTS score was the most sensitive risk classification tool for the four endpoints of interest in this study, as well as molecular responses in patients with CML‐CP., In this real‐world TKIs treated CML‐CP patients cohort, the EUTOS long‐term survival (ELTS) score was the most sensitive risk classification tool to predict CML‐specific deaths, EFS, PFS, and OS compared to the Sokal, Hasford, and EUTOS scoring systems. Notably, the ELTS score was the only scoring system that predicted cumulative incidence of deep molecular response.

The efficiency of upfront consolidation with high‐dose chemotherapy/autologous stem‐cell transplantation (HDCT/ASCT) for newly diagnosed high‐risk diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) may be influenced by induction chemotherapy. To select better induction chemotherapy regimens for HDCT/ASCT, a randomized phase II study was conducted in high‐risk DLBCL patients having an age‐adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI) score of 2 or 3. As induction chemotherapy, 6 cycles of R‐CHOP‐14 (arm A) or 3 cycles of R‐CHOP‐14 followed by 3 cycles of CHASER (arm B) were planned, and patients who responded proceeded to HDCT with LEED and ASCT. The primary endpoint was 2‐y progression‐free survival (PFS), and the main secondary endpoints included overall survival, overall response rate, and adverse events (AEs). In total, 71 patients were enrolled. With a median follow‐up of 40.3 mo, 2‐y PFS in arms A and B were 68.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 50.5%‐81.2%) and 66.7% (95% CI: 48.8%‐79.5%), respectively. Overall survival at 2 y in arms A and B was 74.3% (95% CI: 56.4%‐85.7%) and 83.3% (95% CI: 66.6%‐92.1%). Overall response rates were 82.9% in arm A and 69.4% in arm B. During induction chemotherapy, 45.7% and 75.0% of patients in arms A and B, respectively, had grade ≥ 3 non‐hematologic toxicities. One patient in arm A and 6 in arm B discontinued induction chemotherapy due to AEs. In conclusion, R‐CHOP‐14 showed higher 2‐y PFS and less toxicity compared with R‐CHOP‐14/CHASER in patients with high‐risk DLBCL, suggesting the former to be a more promising induction regimen for further investigations (UMIN‐CTR, UMIN000003823)., The efficiency of upfront consolidation with high‐dose chemotherapy/autologous stem‐cell transplantation (HDCT/ASCT) for newly diagnosed high‐risk diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) may be influenced by induction chemotherapy. To select better induction chemotherapy regimens for HDCT/ASCT, a randomized phase II study was conducted in patients with high‐risk DLBCL who had an age‐adjusted International Prognostic Index (aaIPI) score of 2 or 3. R‐CHOP‐14 showed higher 2‐y PFS and less toxicity compared with R‐CHOP‐14/CHASER in patients with high‐risk DLBCL, suggesting the former to be a more promising induction regimen for further investigations.

Regressive lymphoproliferative disorders (R-LPD) after methotrexate (MTX) withdrawal are one of the specific features of methotrexate - associated lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPD). Although the impact of the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) on the pathogenesis of R-LPD has been recently emphasized, understanding relapse/regrowth events (RRE) and differences among LPD subtypes is necessary. In this study, we confirmed ALC recovery in the regressive group (R-G; R-LPD without RRE) and relapse/regrowth group (R/R-G; R-LPD with RRE). The increase in ALC lasted at least 2 years in R-G, whereas it decreased within 3 years in R/R-G, supporting the better overall survival (OS) in R-G, as previously reported. In addition, our study suggested that an ALC of 1000/µL at the time of development of LPD is a significant predictor for treatment-free survival (TFS). Furthermore, an ALC of 1000/µL at 6 months after MTX withdrawal was found to be a significant indicator of TFS and OS for R-G and R/R-G. The ALC decreased gradually before LPD development in R/R-G, whereas it decreased 6 months before LPD development in R-G, confirming the important role of ALC in the pathogenesis of MTX-LPD such as regressive events and RRE. In addition to ALC, other predictive factors, such as serum C-reactive protein and soluble interleukin-2 receptors, may be helpful in the management of MTX-LPD, including the decision making for an additional chemotherapy for regressive LPD after MTX withdrawal.

Other iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders (OIIA-LPD), a category of immunodeficiency-associated LPD according to the World Health Organization classification, is associated with immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs). Several factors, including autoimmune disease (AID) activity, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, ISD usage, and aging, influence the development of OIIA-LPD, resulting in complicated clinical courses and outcomes. Most OIIA-LPD develops in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using methotrexate (MTX-LPD). The management of MTX-LPD is based on the clinical course, i.e., with/without regression, with/without relapse/regrowth event (RRE), LPD subtype, and ISDs for AIDs after LPD development. There are three clinical courses after ISD withdrawal: regressive LPD without relapse/regrowth (R-G), regressive LPD with RRE (R/R-G), and persistent LPD (P-G). The majority of EBV+ diffuse large B-cell lymphomas are classified in R-G, whereas classic Hodgkin lymphoma is generally classified in R/R-G. Polymorphic LPD (P-LPD) in MTX-LPD develops with heterogeneous pathological features similar to monomorphic LPD. Chemotherapy for MTX-LPD is selected according to that for de novo LPD, although the strategy for aggressive P-LPD and non-specific LPD is not well established. The absolute lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood has been suggested as a candidate marker for MTX-LPD development and RRE. Several clinical issues, including correct diagnosis among overlapping clinicopathological features in MTX-LPD and clinical management of LPD by ISDs other than MTX, require further investigation.

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of 2-year consolidation therapy with nilotinib, at a dose of 300 mg twice daily, for achieving treatment-free remission in chronic myeloid leukemia patients with a deep molecular response (BCR-ABL1IS ≤0.0032%). Successful treatment-free remission was defined as no confirmed loss of deep molecular response. We recruited 96 Japanese patients, of whom 78 sustained a deep molecular response during the consolidation phase and were therefore eligible to discontinue nilotinib in the treatment-free remission phase; of these, 53 patients (67.9%; 95% confidence interval: 56.4–78.1%) remained free from molecular recurrence in the first 12 months. The estimated 3-year treatment-free survival was 62.8%. Nilotinib was readministered to all patients (n=29) who experienced a molecular recurrence during the treatment-free remission phase. After restarting treatment, rapid deep molecular response returned in 25 patients (86.2%), with 50% of patients achieving a deep molecular response within 3.5 months. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor withdrawal syndrome was reported in 11/78 patients during the early treatment-free remission phase. The treatment-free survival curve was significantly better in patients with undetectable molecular residual disease than in patients without (3-year treatment-free survival, 75.6 versus 48.6%, respectively; P=0.0126 by the log-rank test). There were no significant differences in treatment-free survival between subgroups based on tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment before the nilotinib consolidation phase, tyrosine kinase inhibitor-withdrawal syndrome, or absolute number of natural killer cells. The results of this study indicate that it is safe and feasible to stop tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who have achieved a sustained deep molecular response with 2 years of treatment with nilotinib. This study was registered with UMIN-CTR (UMIN000005904).

Our study aims to highlight the critical role of the introduction of second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2nd TKIs) on the prognosis of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CML-CP), as determined by European Treatment and Outcome Study (EUTOS) system. Patients who were diagnosed with CML-CP before March 2009 were classified into the imatinib group, and those diagnosed after April 2009 were classified into the 2nd TKI group. EUTOS high-risk patients exhibited significantly worse outcomes in terms of event-free survival (EFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and CML-associated death than those considered to be low-risk. Risk stratification by EUTOS score was predictive of risk-associated clinical outcomes in patients classified into the imatinib group; however, the EUTOS score failed to predict the outcomes of patients classified into the 2nd TKI group. Our data suggest that the introduction of 2nd TKIs might have improved treatment outcomes, particularly in EUTOS high-risk patients.

This study was performed to investigate the features and outcome of patients with therapy-related chronic myeloid leukemia (TR-CML) who were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The analysis included 308 patients with CML in the chronic phase who were extracted from the CML Cooperative Study Group database. Of these patients, 11 (3.6%) were identified as having TR-CML. No differences in age, sex, white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelet count, or European Treatment and Outcome Study risk were observed between patients with TR-CML vs. de novo CML. However, the responses of TR-CML patients to TKIs (6, 3, and 2 received imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib, respectively) were excellent; all achieved major or deep molecular response. Furthermore, the outcomes of TR-CML patients were relatively favorable; the 3-year event-free survival rates in the TR-CML and de novo CML patients were 100% and 94%, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, our study showed that TR-CML patients could achieve a good clinical course with TKI therapy. Detailed investigations of TR-CML may provide new insights into CML biology.

Methotrexate (MTX) carries a risk of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), but MTX-associated LPDs (MTX-LPDs) can resolve spontaneously after MTX withdrawal. However, the precise clinicopathologic features of MTX-LPD remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors for histologic types of MTX-LPD. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 219 patients with MTX-LPD were analyzed. In total, 30,33,106, and 26 had reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RH), polymorphic-LPD (Poly-LPD), diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs), and classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL), respectively. The clinicopathologic features of RH, Poly-LPD, DLBCLs, and CHL were as follows: extranodal involvement: 13.8% (4/29), 36.4% (12/33), 69.5% (73/105), and 15.4% (4/26); Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA positivity: 55.2% (16/29), 71.9% (23/32), 45.3% (48/106), and 76.9% (20/26); necrosis: 0% (0/29), 51.5% (17/33), 34.3% (36/105), and 12.0% (3/25); and Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg-like cells: 17.2% (5/29), 50% (14/28), and 19.8% (21/106). The median duration from MTX withdrawal to the time of disease regression was 10.4, 3.0, 4.2, and 2.7 months for RH, Poly-LPD, DLBCLs, and CHL. After MTX withdrawal, progression-free survival was the greatest for RH, followed by for Poly-LPD, DLBCL, and CHL (all P

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment is the standard of care for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Even in the imatinib era, the presence of 'clonal chromosomal abnormalities' in the Philadelphia chromosome (CCA/Ph+) at diagnosis reportedly increased the risk of disease progression and predicted shorter survival. However, it remains unclear whether CCA/Ph+ is a poor prognostic marker in the era of new‑generation TKIs. The data of patients with CML in the chronic phase (CP) that were extracted from the CML Cooperative Study Group database were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 328 eligible patients, 33 (10.1%) had CCA/Ph+, including 9 major route and 24 minor route aberrations. The characteristics of patients with and without CCA/Ph+ were similar; however, the proportion of blasts was higher among patients with CCA/Ph+. Notably, the survival rate of patients with CCA/Ph+ was not inferior to that of patients without CCA/Ph+, and there were no differences in responses to TKIs. All 9 patients with major route CCA/Ph+ attained a major molecular response (MMR) with no disease progression, and 8 ultimately achieved a deep molecular response. In particular, the median interval between TKI initiation and achievement of MMR was shorter in patients initially treated with a second‑generation TKI than in those treated with imatinib (5 vs. 10 months). The present retrospective study, thus, revealed favorable treatment outcomes in CML‑CP patients with CCA/Ph+ treated with second‑generation TKIs. The data indicated that administering second‑generation TKIs as first‑line treatments is preferable in CML‑CP patients with CCA/Ph+.

Recently, attention has been focused on methotrexate-induced lymphoproliferative disease (MTX-LPD), and atypical phenotypes are occasionally documented. We encountered two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were diagnosed with non-specific LPD (LPD-nos). Biopsy samples were not obtained during the initial examination when the LPD development was discovered, and the patients achieved a complete response after MTX cessation (case 1) or steroid pulse therapy (case 2). However, the tumors flared up 1.5 years later, and LPD-nos was determined following biopsies of the lymph node (LN, case 1) and liver (case 2). Prednisolone was subsequently administered instead of chemotherapy; however, multiple masses, including in the spine (case 1), and severe icterus with liver dysfunction (case 2) were exacerbated within a few months. Although the re-biopsy of LN proved the presence of HL and radiation followed by aggressive chemotherapy rescued the patient (case 1), the superficially accessible biopsy site was not found, and autopsy finally revealed HL (case 2). In both cases, the underlying pathogenesis along with the B symptoms and laboratory abnormalities suggested MTX-LPD, HL in particular. Therefore, even if the pathological diagnosis does not confirm the specific LPD subtype, the administration of aggressive chemotherapy should be considered if the LPD activity flares severely.

Thrombopoietin receptor (TPO-R) agonists have been shown to be effective in refractory chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP); however, their efficacy in patients under critical care is not known. We report the case of a female patient with a newly diagnosed ITP who experienced severe bleeding from an external wound. The patient was administered the standard treatments for ITP, which are high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and corticosteroids. However, following failure of these treatments, we administered romiplostim on day 6 after the onset of ITP. On day 6 after the initiation of romiplostim, there was improvement in platelet count and bleeding tendency. We were subsequently able to perform a splenectomy successfully. The efficacy of TPO-R agonists in ITP has been reported in several situations, including before surgery in an ITP patient; however, the use of TPO-R for arterial bleeding with shock has not been reported. To our knowledge, the present article is a rare case report of the use of a TPO-R agonist in a patient with critical artery injury. Our data suggest that the early use of romiplostim is effective in emergency cases of newly diagnosed ITP with life-threatening bleeding, which is refractory to standard treatment.

Background and Aim: Treatment with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is the standard of care for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Based on the results of the ENESTnd and DASISION studies, the European LeukemiaNet 2013 guidelines now recommend the use of TKIs, imatinib (400 mg once daily), nilotinib (300 mg twice daily), and dasatinib (100 mg once daily) as first-line treatment for patients with CML in the chronic phase (CML-CP). Compared to imatinib, the new generation TKIs, nilotinib and dasatinib, were found to have deeper and faster treatment response rates with acceptable toxicities. However, a direct comparison between nilotinib and dasatinib has never been reported previously. Our study aims to compare the outcomes and molecular responses achieved following the first-line use of these two agents in patients with CML-CP. Patients and Methods: The database of the CML Cooperative Study Group, which includes patients who were initially diagnosed with CML after the introduction of imatinib (April 2001), was reviewed, and patients who were given nilotinib or dasatinib as first-line therapy were identified. The event-free survival (EFS, defined as the loss of treatment efficacy, disease progression, or any cause of death), and rates of cumulative major molecular response (MMR), and deep molecular response (DMR, defined as the depth of MR 4.5) were compared between the nilotinib and dasatinib groups. Further, the predictive ability of the Sokal, Hasford, and European Treatment and Outcome Study (EUTOS) scoring systems for the achievement of molecular responses was also evaluated. For the analysis of molecular responses, patients who switched from their initial treatment agent to another TKI before achievement of MMR or DMR were considered to have no MMR or DMR. Results and Discussion: Out of 361 patients with CML-CP enrolled in our database, 58 and 63 were treated with conventional doses of nilotinib (300 mg twice daily) and dasatinib (100 mg once daily), respectively, as first-line therapy. Patients who had been started on a low dose TKI therapy were excluded from this analysis. The patient demographics, including age, sex, observation periods, and the Sokal, Hasford, and EUTOS scores did not show significant differences between the groups. In total, there were five events during the observation period (1 in the nilotinib group and 4 in the dasatinib group), and all events were deaths unrelated to CML, except for one in a patient in the dasatinib group who showed loss of complete cytogenetic response. The disease did not progress to the accelerated or blastic phase in any of the cases. The EFS did not differ between these two groups (p = 0.214). The MMR rates by 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were 59%, 72%, 74%, and 81%, respectively, in the nilotinib group and 52%, 73%, 81%, and 86%, respectively, in the dasatinib group. The DMR rates by 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 7%, 17%, 24%, and 28%, respectively, in the nilotinib group and 3%, 16%, 25%, and 29%, respectively, in the dasatinib group. During the first 24 months of treatment, 4 (7%) patients in the nilotinib group and 11 (17%) in the dasatinib group had been switched to other TKIs (p = 0.0983). Among the three scoring systems, only the Hasford score could predict the achievement of DMR, and all of them failed to predict the achievement of MMR in the entire cohort. Our data suggest that both nilotinib and dasatinib have comparable efficacies, with high molecular response rates and promising outcomes. The validity of our findings should be tested in a randomized study, which is currently underway in Japan. Disclosures Takaku: Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis Pharma K.K.: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Tokuhira:Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; AYUMI Pharmaceutical Corporation: Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Speakers Bureau. Asou:Eisai Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; SRL Inc.: Consultancy; Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.: Speakers Bureau; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.: Speakers Bureau; Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Research Funding; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding. Kizaki:Nippon Shinyaku,: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Kawaguchi:Novartis Pharma K.K.: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the incidence of second malignancies (SMs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We analyzed data from 339 patients with CML who were extracted from the CML Cooperative Study Group database. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated to assess the risk of SMs using data from the Cancer Registries in Japan. The median follow-up was 65 months. SMs developed in 14 patients (4.1%, 10 men, 4 women) after the start of TKIs. The median age was 69 years at the time of the CML diagnosis and 72.5 years at the time of the SM diagnosis. Ten patients were treated with imatinib, three with dasatinib, and one with nilotinib as the initial treatment. The SIR for all malignancies was 1.05 (95% CI 0.50–1.93) for men and 1.08 (95% CI 0.29–2.76) for women. The difference in the overall survival (OS) of patients with or without SMs was not statistically significant (5-year OS: 82.5% vs. 92.9%; p = 0.343). A subgroup analysis of 166 patients treated with second-generation TKIs (92 dasatinib, 74 nilotinib) showed that the SIRs for all malignancies were 1.33 (95% CI 0.36–3.41) for men and 0 for women. In conclusion, the incidence of SMs in CML patients during TKI treatment was the same as that in the general Japanese population. There was no evidence of an increase in the incidence of SMs during second-generation TKI treatment. Furthermore, the occurrence of SMs during TKI treatment did not affect the survival or mortality in our cohort.

Background: Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD), including malignant lymphoma, is a relatively rare but life-threatening complication in RA patients under methotrexate (MTX) therapy. Spontaneous regression of LPD after MTX withdrawal is regarded as a distinct characteristic in part of such LPDs. Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the immunological difference in regressive LPD and persistent LPD. Methods: We studied RA patients who developed LPD during MTX administration (n = 35) and clinically matched controls (n = 35). The time of MTX cessation was defined as week 0, and LPD patients were divided into two groups according to LPD status at week 12: regressive group (n = 22) and persistent group (n = 13). Flow cytometric analysis of whole blood samples and serum cytokine assays were conducted for LPD (n = 10) and control patients (n = 10) at weeks 0, 4 and 12. Results: There was a significant decrease in peripheral lymphocytes and the proportion of T helper 1 cells (Th1 cells), effector memory CD8+ T cells (EMCD8+ T) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-specific CD8+ T cells at the time of LPD diagnosis, and a significant increase after MTX cessation was observed in the regressive group but not in the persistent group. The expansion of Th1 cells and EMCD8+ T cells significantly correlated with an increase in serum interferon (IFN)-γ concentration. Conclusion: Changes in Th1 cells, EMCD8+ T cells and EBV-specific CD8+ T cells, which coincided with an increase in IFN-γ, were significantly different between regressive LPD and persistent LPD after MTX cessation.

This study investigated the incidence rate and features of vascular adverse events (VAEs) in Japanese patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The analysis included 369 CML patients in the chronic or accelerated phases, selected from the CML Cooperative Study Group database; 25 events in 23 (6.2%) of these patients were VAEs. At the time of VAE incidence, nine patients were on treatment with imatinib, 12 with nilotinib, three with dasatinib, and one with bosutinib. VAE incidence comprised 13 cases of ischemic heart disease (IHD), eight of cerebral infarction (CI), and four of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). IHD incidence rate in the study population was higher than that in the age-matched general population, particularly in nilotinib-treated patients, while CI incidence rate was almost equivalent. Compared with the Suita score, the SCORE chart and the Framingham score risk assessment tools detected more patients with high or very high risk of VAEs. In conclusion, incidence of IHD requires closer monitoring in nilotinib-treated patients. More detailed investigations for determining the most useful tool to predict VAE incidence and long-term analysis of therapy-related VAE cases are needed for improving safety during TKI therapy.

The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of 2-year consolidation therapy using nilotinib (NIL) for achieving a molecular response (MR4.5, BCR-ABL1IS ≤ 0.0032% on the International Scale) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP) who had achieved a major molecular response (MMR, BCR-ABL1IS ≤ 0.1%) with imatinib (IM). We recruited 76 Japanese patients for this trial. Nilotinib 300 mg, twice daily, was administered for 2 years, and 74 patients were evaluated in the study. The median age was 55.0 years. The median duration of IM treatment was 69.0 months. All patients showed MMR at the time of entry into the study; the median time to MMR on IM therapy was 20.4 months. The proportion of patients who achieved MR4.5 increased over time. The rates of MR4.5 in the 74 evaluable patients were 27.0% [90% confidence interval (CI) (18.7–36.8%)] and 44.6% [90% CI (34.7–54.8%)] at 12 and 24 months, respectively. The frequency of ABCG2 421C/A + A/A was an independent predictive biomarker for achieving a 24-month MR4.5. Switching to NIL led to safer, deeper molecular responses in patients with MMR on long-term IM therapy for future treatment-free remission.

ABL1-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have led to dramatic changes in treatment strategies for chronic myeloid leukemia in the chronic phase (CML-CP). However, clinical studies have highlighted increasing numbers of adverse events (AE) with TKIs. Although TKI modification plays a key role in AE management, this process is poorly understood, particularly in terms of the TKI nilotinib. In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed the records of 70 patients with newly diagnosed (ND)-CML-CP who were treated with nilotinib to investigate the drug potency of nilotinib and treatment management. During a median observation period of 3.4 years, 76% of patients continued nilotinib as a first-line treatment. The 1-year and overall major molecular response (MMR) rates and the overall molecular response (MR) 4.5 rate for all patients receiving first-line nilotinib therapy were 70, 84.2, and 50%, respectively. No case progressed to the accelerated or blast phase during the study. To avoid AEs during the early phase, nilotinib doses were reduced to

Although recent accumulative data reveal the clinicopathogenesis of regression in methotrexate-induced lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPDs), the precise understanding including this category remains controversial. In this study, we analyzed 62 patients with MTX-LPD. Forty-three patients showed regression (Reg group), with high rates of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and LPD (90 and 88%, respectively). Among the 43 patients of the Reg group, 14 patients (33%) relapsed. The median duration before relapse in the Reg group was 10.6 months. Although the difference of OS between the Reg and Non-Reg groups was not significantly different, relapse-free patients in the Reg group had a superior overall survival (OS). MTX duration had a significant impact on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (p = .00131). Furthermore, EBV infection was significantly related to clinical manifestations, including spleen invasion, in the regression phenomenon. Some human leukocyte antigens (HLA) alleles might affect MTX-LPD development via EBV infection, although A*2402 and DRB1*0405 might be affected as fundamental factors.

Background Lympho-proliferative disorder (LPD) is known as a relatively rare but life-threatening complication in RA patients under MTX administration. Spontaneous regression of LPD after MTX withdrawal is regarded as a distinct character of LPD under MTX administration. Previous study from our institution [1] and others [2] reported the link between decreased lymphocyte counts at LPD diagnosis and restoration after MTX cessation and the regression of LPD. Objectives To investigate the immunological factors including lymphocyte subsets which involved in spontaneous regression of LPD following MTX withdrawal. Methods We studied 35 RA patients complicated with LPD under MTX administration in our institution. Age, sex, RA disease duration matched control MTX-treated patients (N=35) were selected. LPD patients were divided into two groups regarding to the status of LPD after MTX cessation; regressive group (N=22) and persistent group (N=13). Clinical features were compared among 3 groups. Flowcytometric analysis of the whole blood sample and measurement of cytokine concentration in ELISA were conducted in a part of the LPD patients (N=10, 7 regressive, and 3 persistent LPD) and controls (N=10). The time of MTX cessation, which was simultaneous with LPD diagnosis, was defined as week 0, and blood sample was collected at week 0, 4 and 12. Results At week 0, number of peripheral lymphocytes was significantly decreased in regressive group, compared to persistent group and control group. Flowcytometric analysis revealed significant decrease in proportion of effector memory CD8+ T cells (EMCD8+T), Epstein Barr Virus specific CD8+ T cells (EBV specific CD8+) and T helper 1 cells (Th1 cells) subset in regressive group compared to control group. Following MTX cessation, significant increase in proportion and absolute number of these subsets were observed only in the regressive group, but not in persistent group. Expansion of Th1 cells and EMCD8+ T cells significantly correlated with increase of serum IFN-γ, and expansion of EMCD8+ T cells inversely correlated with change of serum IL-15. Conclusions Restoration in proportion and absolute number of Th1 cells, EMCD8+T cells and EBV specific CD8+ T cells coincided with increase of IFN-γ, and associated with regression of LPD developed under MTX administration. Since changes of those immunological factors were not observed in persistent LPD, this study would be the first report to demonstrate the difference of immune status between regressive and persistent LPDs developed under MTX administration. References Saito S, et al. Rheumatology. 2017; in press. Inui Y, et al. Leuk Lymphoma. 2015; 56(11):3045–3051. Acknowledgements None. Disclosure of Interest S. Saito: None declared, K. Suzuki: None declared, K. Yamaoka Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Chugai Pharma, Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma, Takeda Industrial Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Nippon Shinyaku, Eli Lilly, Janssen Pharma, Eisai Pharma, Astellas Pharma and Actelion Pharmaceuticals, K. Amano: None declared, M. Tokuhira Speakers bureau: Eisai Co., T. Takeuchi Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma, Bristol–Myers K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eisai Co.,Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd., Teijin Pharma Ltd., AbbVie GK, 2,Astra Zeneca K.K., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Novartis Pharma K.K.

The development of novel therapeutic agents over the past decade, including the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, and the immunomodulatory drugs, lenalidomide and thalidomide, has resulted in improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. However, there is still considerable controversy as to which regimen should be used as first-line therapy, which patients should be considered for autologous or allogeneic transplantation, and how consolidation or maintenance therapy is used in patients that have a good response to first-line therapy. The present paper will review clinical evidence from previous and ongoing studies to explore issues related to these questions.

Objective To clarify the characteristics of lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD) in patients with RA treated with MTX. Methods Among 33 patients developing LPD during MTX treatment, 20 LPDs regressed spontaneously within 12 weeks after MTX cessation (regressive LPD), and 13 did not regress and most of them died or needed chemotherapy (persistent LPD). The control group consisted of 66 clinically matched MTX-treated RA patients without LPD. The clinical characteristics were compared between these three groups. Results While no significant differences were found in clinical RA and LPD features among the three groups, the absolute lymphocyte number of the two LPD groups at LPD diagnosis was significantly lower than the control group (497/µl in the regressive vs 680/µl in the persistent vs 1400/µl in the control, P < 0.05). After MTX withdrawal, the lymphocyte number in the regressive group rapidly recovered to 1214/µl (P < 0.01) by week 2 and was thereafter maintained at an equivalent level to the control group. In contrast, lymphocyte level in the persistent group did not show significant increase throughout 12 weeks (620/µl at week 2, P = 0.57). Changes in lymphocyte number following MTX withdrawal clearly distinguished the regressive LPD from the persistent LPD. Conclusion A significant decrease in lymphocyte count at the LPD diagnosis and its restoration after MTX withdrawal were markedly associated with spontaneous regression of LPD developing during MTX treatment.

Background: According to VISTA study, the prognosis of elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients has been improved with VMP therapy. However, intensive chemotherapy has induced severe adverse events (AEs), resulting in highly discontinued rate, especially often seen in unfit or frail patients. Several studies have demonstrated the potent of weekly bortezomib administration in induction therapy (GIMEMA, GEM2005MAS65), and maintenance therapy with bortezomib. Based on these fact, we designed phase 2 clinical study, BoRtezomib-based Optimized therapy Aiming Disease control in Japan (BROAD-J study), based on a weekly VMP as induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy with bortezomib (Bor-MT) with every two weeks administration for newly-diagnosed (ND) symptomatic non-transplant eligible MM patients. (UMIN 00007335) Method: From August 2011 to June 2016, according to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria, 87 patients older than 65 years with symptomatic MM were eligible for this trial (Table 1). The primary objectives were included maximum response and time to progression duration. Secondary objective was the continued treatment duration and adverse event rate. The induction phase consisted of VMP treatment: Melpharan: on days 1-4 (6 mg/m2), every 35-day cycle; prednisolone: on days 1-4 (40mg/d, every 35-day cycle; Bortezomib: 1.3mg/m2, d1, 8, 15, 22 every 35-day cycle. After 9 cycles of VMP therapy, the maintenance therapy starts. The maintenance phase was consisted of twice a month bortezomib administration (1.3 mg/m2) without dexamethasone until progressive disease. Dose reductions of bortezomib were allowed according to instructorfs recommendation. Patients could receive supportive therapy including bisphosphonates and transfusions as necessary. AEs were graded according to NCI-CTCAE v4.0. Response was assessed prior to every treatment cycle. Response categories were based on the International Myeloma Working Group uniform response criteria. Results: Mean age was 75 years (66-88), sex ratio was 44:43 (M: F), and ISS stage was I 12%, II 43%, III 43%. High risk cytogenetics abnormalities (i.e. del17p, t(14;16)) were observed in 13 patients (15%). Overall response rate was 87% and complete response was obtained in 22 patients (25%) (Table 1). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 36 months (Figure 1a) and median overall survival was 57 months (Figure 1b). Median PFS (Kaplan-Meier estimate) was significantly higher with patients who obtained CR or VGPR than PR or SD (P Discussion: This trial reveals that VMP regimen with weekly bortezomib administration is effective and tolerablefor unfit or frail elderly MM patients. In addition, maintenance therapy of twice a month bortezomib administration was effective in patients who obtained VGPR or more better. These results are no way inferior to results of VISTA trial. However, high R-ISS stage patients or poor treatment responders did not obtain the benefit of this setting, so, another setting with anti-myeloma antibody (i.e. elotuzumab or daratumumab) may be warranted in the future for such patients. Conclusion: BROAD-J study is conducted to yield the possibility of a careful treatment toward at least PR state and the efficacy of VMP followed by bortezomib maintenance in unfit or frail MM patients. The excellent results we demonstrated such as a good OS, PFS, and a low incidence of AEs might be suggested a superiority of this strategy. Download : Download high-res image (64KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Tokuhira: Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd: Honoraria; Eizai Co., Ltd: Honoraria; Pfizer Co., Ltd: Honoraria.

[Background] Methotrexate - induced lymphoproliferative disorders (MTX-LPDs) belong to the group of other iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated LPDs, as defined in the revised 4th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The phenomenon of LPD regression after MTX withdrawal is a specific event that develops in patients with autoimmune diseases (ADs), such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although patients with regressive MTX-LPDs have better overall survival (OS), relapse/regrowth (R/R) events after regression are one of the factors of poor prognosis. Recent studies including ours have shown that lymphocytes play an important role in the regressive LPD phenomenon in MTX-LPDs (Rheumatology (Oxford). 2017;56:940-946, Front Immunol. 2018;4;9:621) ; however, little is known of the details regarding differences among the LPD subtypes and the influence of lymphocytes on R/R events. In this study, we analyzed patients with regressive Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), especially focusing on the influence of the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) on R/R events and clinical outcomes. [Methods] Data were collected from 25 patients with ADs who developed LPD and had regressive LPD after MTX withdrawal at our institutions. All diagnoses were confirmed based on immunohistochemistry analysis of paraffin-embedded samples. All pathological samples were classified and diagnosed according to the WHO classification. The ALCs were determined at the time of MTX withdrawal due to LPD development (0 M), 1 month after MTX withdrawal (1 M), 6 months after MTX withdrawal (6 M), and at the time of R/R. The OS was calculated between 0 M and the time of the last observation. Statistical analyses were performed using EZR software. [Results] Of 25 patients with regressive MTX-LPDs, the median age at 0 M was 67 years (range: 44ー84). Ten men and 15 women were included. The basal ADs were RA (N = 23), psoriasis vulgaris (N = 1), and systemic lupus erythematosus (N = 1). The median duration of MTX treatment was 5.5 years. Seventeen cases of DLBCL and 8 cases of HL were included. The median ALCs at 0 M and 1 M in all patients were 627/µL and 1364/µL, respectively. The median ALC ratio (ALC at 1 M divided by ALC at 0 M) was 2.3 (0.6-8), and it indicated over 1 in 24 patients, confirming ALC recovery at 1 M. Regarding the ALCs at 0 M and 1 M, significant differences between DLBCL and HL were not detected (p=0.215 and p=0.77, respectively). Of all patients, the median duration from the time of MTX duration to R/R was 12 months (range, 7-41). Thirteen patients remained in the remission state without R/R (Regression group), whereas 12 patients experienced an R/R event (R/R group). In the latter group, the median ALCs at 0 M, 1 M, 6 M, and R/R were 582/µL, 1194/µL, 1158/µL, and 565/µL, respectively. The ALC significantly increased at 1 M from 0 M (p=0.006) and decreased at R/R from 1 M (p=0.05), suggesting that the ALC recovery diminished when the LPD underwent R/R. On the other hand, among 13 patients in the regressive group, the median ALCs at 1 M, 6 M, and at the time of the last observation were over 1500/µL (1732/µL, 1782/µL, and 1574/µL, respectively), although that at 0 M was less than 1000/µL (991/µL). To investigate the influence of ALC on the OS, we analyzed the clinical definition of the ALC cut-off of 1000/µL after the ALC recovery observed at 1 M. The result indicated that patients with ALC greater than or equal to 1000/µL after 6 M had significantly better OS compared to those with ALC less than 1000/µL after 6 M (5-year OS, 100% vs. 43.8%, p=0.00048), considering that the ALC is one of the strong prognostic factors in the clinical outcomes of MTX-LPDs. It is of note that the R/R rate in patients with HL was higher than that in those with DLBCL (100% and 23.4%, respectively), and all 8 patients with HL had an ALC at R/R of less than 1000/µL. [Summary] In this study, we demonstrated that ALC recovery was detected at 1 M, which continued during the clinical course in patients who maintained a remission state, although it decreased to less than 1000/µL after ALC recovery in patients with R/R LPDs. In addition, the ALC of 1000/µL was a critical level affecting the clinical outcomes. Regarding LPD subtypes, the reason for higher R/R rates observed in HL compared to those in DLBCL was thought to be dependent on the rates of lower ALCs. [Conclusion] Our data suggest that the ALC is one of the predictive factors for R/R and OS in patients with regressive MTX-LPDs. Disclosures Tokuhira: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation: Speakers Bureau; AYUMI Pharmaceutical Corporation: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Speakers Bureau. Tamaru:Nichirei Bioscience INC.: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited: Speakers Bureau. Kizaki:Nippon Shinyaku,: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Speakers Bureau.

The expression of YB-1 has been reported to predict poor clinical outcome in many human malignancies, including hematopoietic malignancies. In this study, we investigated the correlations between YB-1 expression and the clinicopathological features of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in a single institution. The expression of YB-1 was analyzed in 168 cases by immunohistochemistry. Fifteen out of 168 cases (8.9%) showed cytoplasmic expression of YB-1. The expression of YB-1 was significantly associated with 5-year overall survival (OS) (p = 0.023). Rituximab plus CHOP therapy (n = 94) improved the 5-year survival rate in both YB-1-positive and -negative patients. In conclusion, the data presented in this report provide evidence that the cytoplasmic expression of YB-1 is a poor prognosis factor in DLBCL treated with CHOP therapy, whereas rituximab improves the survival of both YB-1-positive and -negative patients with DLBCL.

We here report the case of a young Japanese woman diagnosed with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Intensive therapy with the CHOP regimen was partially able to control virus expansion, but various central nervous system symptoms appeared and gradually progressed. EBV-encoded RNA, detected using in situ hybridization, disclosed the presence of EBV in liver and bone marrow tissue, and real-time PCR revealed the presence of EBV in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. CD3+CD4+CD8-CD56- T-cell expansion in the peripheral blood (PB) and CSF was also observed. Atrophic brain changes were progressive, and the patient died of central nervous system disturbance and pulmonary hemorrhage a year after diagnosis. Autopsy revealed that EBV-infected T lymphocytes with a phenotype similar to those seen in PB and CSF had infiltrated multiple organs: the lymph nodes, bone marrow, endocardium, pericardium, myocardium, spleen, liver, and spinal cord. There have been few previous reports of severe degenerative changes in the myocardium, liver, and spinal cord in patients with EBV infection. Although EBV occasionally infiltrates the central nervous system and brain, atrophic changes mediated by EBV are rare. The autopsy results of this case suggest the possibility of EBV-mediated, severe degenerative changes in multiple organs.

Primary lymphoid tumors of the lacrimal sac are quite rare, and all reported cases are of B-cell tumors with good prognosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary natural killer (NK) cell lymphoma of the lacrimal sac. A 55-year-old woman presented with a lacrimal sac tumor, and histological diagnosis of NK cell lymphoma was made. Although disease was initially localized to the right lacrimal sac, it invaded into the adjacent ethmoidal sinus before chemotherapy was initiated (clinical stage IIE). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNA (EBER) was detected in lymphoma cells by in situ hybridization. Systemic chemotherapy combined with intrathecal chemotherapy followed by local radiotherapy was performed, and the patient achieved complete remission. However, shortly after completion of chemoradiotherapy, the lymphoma relapsed with rapid systemic dissemination. The disease was refractory to chemotherapy, and the patient eventually succumbed due to sepsis.

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed as adult T-cell leukemia with severe hypercalcemia because of production of parathyroid hormone-related protein. After admission, the patient had respiratory insufficiency with an infiltrative shadow in his lungs suggestive of pneumonia. However, neither improvement in respiratory function nor disappearance of the abnormal chest shadow was observed with administration of various antibiotics. An autopsy demonstrated the chest shadow had been caused by metastatic calcification associated with hypercalcemia due to production of parathyroid hormone-related protein. The possibility of metastatic calcification should be considered in patients with adult T-cell leukemia and hypercalcemia who have an abnormal chest shadow.

The rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joint is characterized by an inflammatory synovial pannus which mediates tissue destruction. IL-13 is a cytokine that inhibits activated monocytes/macrophages from secreting a variety of proinflammatory molecules. The aim of this study was to examine whether gene therapy-delivered IL-13 could reduce the production of key proinflammatory mediators in RA synovial tissue (ST) explants. Adenoviral vectors encoding the genes for human IL-13 (AxCAIL-13) and bacterial β-galactosidase were generated and examined for protein production. Vectors were used to infect RA ST explants and RA synovial fibroblasts, and conditioned medium (CM) was collected at various times for analysis by ELISA and competitive immunoassay. AxCAIL-13 decreased the production of RA ST explant proinflammatory IL-1β by 85% after 24 h. Likewise, TNF-α levels were decreased by 82 and 75% whereas IL-8 levels were reduced 54 and 82% after 24 and 48 h, respectively, in RA ST explant CM. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 concentrations were decreased by 88% after 72 h in RA ST explant CM. RA ST explant epithelial neutrophil-activating peptide-78 concentrations were decreased 85 and 94% whereas growth-related gene product-α levels were decreased by 77 and 85% at 24 and 48 h, respectively, by AxCAIL-13. Further, IL-13 significantly decreased PGE2 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α production. These results demonstrate that increased expression of IL-13 via gene therapy may decrease RA-associated inflammation by reducing secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2.

SummaryHemostatic molecular markers were serially monitored in a prospective fashion during remission induction therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in sixteen patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). One patient with leukocytosis before treatment and three patients who later developed hyperleukocytosis also received chemotherapy with behenoyl Ara-C and daunorubicin. Plasma levels of E-fragment of fibrin and fibrinogen degradation product (FDP-E), FDP-D dimer (D-D), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), and plasmin-α2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC) were markedly elevated in all but one patient before treatment, and these parameters decreased to normal or near normal ranges in most patients within the first 7 days of treatment. Interestingly, we have found that these parameters were again elevated during the later course of ATRA therapy (after day +7) in eleven patients for various reasons including cytotoxic chemotherapy (3 cases), fever (5 cases; 2 cases with apparent infection, 3 cases without known etiology), Caesarean section (1 case), and no apparent etiology (2 cases). Three patients showed bleeding complications during reelevation of molecular markers, but none developed thrombosis. Plasma elastase-α1 proteinase inhibitor complex (E-α1PI) was markedly elevated in all patients at diagnosis and did not decrease significantly during ATRA therapy. Plasma tissue factor antigen was mildly elevated in one out of four patients studied, and thrombomodulin was elevated in two out of ten patients tested. These results confirmed the rapid normalization of coagulopathy during the early phase of remission induction therapy with ATRA but suggest that re-elevation of molecular markers occurs frequently during the later course of ATRA therapy.

【Background】Despite numerous attempts to elucidate the mechanism underlying other iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative diseases (OIIA-LPDs), the mechanism remains poorly understood. Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD) is one of the disease entities included in OIIA-LPDs, which is especially developed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as we demonstrated (Tokuhira et al, Leuk Lymphoma. 2012;53:616-23). Spontaneous regression of LPD after MTX withdrawal is one of the distinct characteristics of MTX-LPD, and recent articles suggest that the increase in peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes affect this phenomenon. However, the population of lymphocytes necessary to induce MTX-LPD regression is still unknown. 【Methods】We prospectively analyzed 10 patients with RA developing confirmed LPD during MTX administration, in our institutions between January 2014 to October 2015. All patients ceased MTX after developing lymphoadenopathies. To investigate the factors involved in spontaneous regression of LPD following MTX withdrawal, we performed flowcytometric analysis of whole blood including lymphocytes from PB for CD3, 4, 8, 14, 15, 20, 56, 127, and 45RO, HLA-DR, CCR3, CCR4, CCR6, CCR7, and EBV-tetramer expression, for all patients at three time points during the clinical course of treatment; at the time of MTX cessation (w0), and 4 weeks (w4) and 12 weeks (w12) after MTX cessation. We selected 10 age-, sex-, MTX dose-, and RA duration-matched RA patients treated with MTX for more than 6 months as controls, randomly selected from among the RA patients at our institutions. The patients with MTX-LPD were divided into two groups based on the status of LPD after MTX cessation, regressive LPD (R group) and persistent LPD (P group), and clinical parameters were compared. 【Results】In the 10 RA patients with MTX-LPD, the median age was 62.4 years (40-74), and the ratio of male:female patients was 2:8. The median duration from the time of RA diagnosis to the time of MTX development was 7.2 years (1.2-20.4), and the median duration of MTX administration was 4.3 years (0.7-9.8). The pathological diagnosis of LPDs was diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL, n=5), Classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL, n = 3), and non-specific LPD (LPD-nos, n=2). The averages values for LDH, CRP, and sIL-2R in the serum were 220 IU/mL (176-554), 0.85 mg/dL (0.06-2.53), and 579 IU/L(206-1210), respectively. The number of patients in the R group and the P group was 7 and 3, respectively. According to LPD phenotypes, all 5 cases of DLBCL belonged to the R group, whereas 1 of 3 HL and 1 of 2 LPD-nos belonged to the R group. At w0, the median WBC count and absolute lymphocyte number in 10 MTX-LPD patients were 5810/µL (2700-11400) and 964/µL (220-2070), respectively. On the other hand, the median WBC count and absolute lymphocyte number in the 10 control patients were 5930/µL (3900-9000) and 1512/µL (755-2379), respectively. The absolute lymphocyte count in the P group was significantly higher than that in the R group. In addition, a significant increase in the lymphocyte number following MTX withdrawal was observed only in the R group, but not in the P group. There were several observations from the flowcytometric analysis. First, the proportions of effector memory CD8+ T cells (EM CD8+), EBV specific CD8+ T cells, and T helper 1 (Th1) cells were significantly decreased both in the R group and in the P group compared to the control group at w0, and this subset was significantly increased in the R group at w4 and w12 compared to the P group. Second, the proportion of CD14-CD15+ cells in the lymphocyte fraction, which includes myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), was significantly increased in LPD group at w0, and significantly decreased following MTX cessation only in the R group, but not in the P group. Third, the proportion of CD14-CD15+ cells negatively and significantly correlated with the proportion of EM CD8+T cells (r2 = 0.47, p < 0.0001). 【Conclusions】Although the mechanism of MTX-LPD regression following MTX withdrawal is still unknown, this study demonstrates that reconstitution with specific lymphocytes in the PB is definitely correlated with LPD-regression. The proportion of Th1 cells, EM CD 8+, EBV specific CD8+ along with CD14-CD15+ cells dramatically indicated restoration and transition following MTX cessation, suggesting their potent effect toward the progression and regression of MTX-LPD. Disclosures Tokuhira: Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd: Honoraria; Pfizer Co., Ltd: Honoraria; Eizai Co., Ltd: Honoraria. Okamoto:Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Shionogi & Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Eisai Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Teijin Pharma Limited: Research Funding; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Research Funding; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Research Funding; Pfizer Inc.: Honoraria, Research Funding; JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.: Research Funding.

Background and Aim: Therapy-related chronic myeloid leukemia (TR-CML), which is defined as CML that developed after exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, rarely exists in clinical practice, although its incidence rates are relatively lower than those of acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes, accounting for 1.2-30.4% of secondary leukemias. The clinical behavior of TR-CML, including patient outcome, is reportedly not different from that of de novo CML before the era of imatinib treatment. While the recent advancement of CML treatment by the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has dramatically improved treatment outcomes in patients with CML, little is known about the treatment response and outcomes in patients with TR-CML treated with TKI. In this regard, we investigated the clinical entity of TR-CML in the era of TKIs, including treatment response to TKI and prognosis, in patients enrolled to the CML Cooperative Study Group. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients enrolled in the CML Cooperative Study to identify patients diagnosed with TR-CML. This study included patients aged >15 years who were diagnosed with CML in the chronic phase between April 2001 and January 2016, and treated with any TKIs as initial therapy and followed up for at least 3 months. The study was approved by the research ethics board of each institution and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. A major molecular response (MMR) was defined as ≤0.1% on the International Scale (IS) or 100 copies of the BCR-ABL1 transcript/μg RNA in a transcription-mediated amplification and hybridization protection assay. A deep molecular response (DMR) was defined ≤0.0032% in the IS. Event-free survival (EFS) was defined as the period from the date of initial treatment with TKI to the date of onset of the first adverse event (loss of treatment efficacy, progression to the accelerated or blastic phase, or any cause of death) or the last follow-up. Statistical analyses were performed by using EZR. Results and Discussion: We identified 308 patients with newly diagnosed CML in the chronic phase, including 11 (3.6%) with TR-CML and 297 with de novo CML. Regarding the primary cancer, 2 of the 11 patients had breast cancer and the remaining 9 had prostate cancer, pharyngeal cancer, mesothelioma, lung cancer, colon cancer, ureter cancer, acute leukemia, gastric cancer, or bladder cancer, respectively. Eight cases were treated with chemotherapy, 2 were treated with radiotherapy, and the remaining case was treated with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The results of a cytogenetic analysis by G-banding were exclusive t(9;22)(q34;q11) in all the patients. The median time to diagnosis of CML from the initiation of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy was 7 years (range, 1.2-33 years). No significant differences in patient age, sex, white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelet count, or European Treatment and Outcome Study risk were observed between the TR-CML and de novo CML groups. Among the patients whose cytogenetic and/or molecular responses were assessable, all had excellent treatment response to TKI. Seven patients unexpectedly reached MMR within 6 months after TKI initiation. Finally, 8 patients attained DMR or undetectable leukemia in the bone marrow and the remaining 3 attained MMR. The 5-year EFS of the patients in the de novo CML group was 90%. None of the patients in the TR-CML group experienced any adverse event. In conclusion, in the present study, we revealed that patients with TR-CML could attain a good clinical course with TKI therapy. Detailed investigations of TR-CML may provide new insights into the CML biology. Disclosures Iriyama: Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Takaku:Bristol: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Nakazato:Mundipharma KK: Research Funding. Fujita:Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.,LTD: Honoraria. Tokuhira:Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd: Honoraria; Pfizer Co., Ltd: Honoraria; Eizai Co., Ltd: Honoraria. Kawaguchi:Novartis: Honoraria.

Background Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder (MTX-LPD) is a relatively rare but well known complication among patients under MTX treatment. Spontaneous regression of LPD after MTX withdrawal is regarded as a distinct character of MTX-LPD. Although detection of Epstein-Barr virus encoded small RNAs (EBER) in the pathological tissue is reported as a predictor of regression, although it is not necessarily specific 1) . Objectives To investigate the factors involved in spontaneous regression of LPD following MTX withdrawal. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 43 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients complicated with MTX-LPD from January 2000 to October 2015 in our institution. Age, sex, RA duration matched 76 control MTX-treated patients were selected. MTX-LPD patients were divided into two groups regarding to the status of LPD after MTX cessation; regressive LPD (R group) and persistent LPD (P group), and clinical parameters were compared. Flowcytometric analysis of the whole blood was underwent in a part of the MTX-LPD patients (N=10, 7 regressive, and 3 persistent LPD) and controls (N=10). The time of MTX cessation (= time of LPD diagnosis) was defined as week 0, and whole blood sample was collected at week 0, 4 and 12. Epstein Barr Virus antigen specific CD8+ T cells (EBV specific CD8+) was defined as MHC/EBV peptide tetramer positive CD8+ T cells. Results At the time of MTX cessation (week 0), number of peripheral lymphocytes was significantly decreased in LPD group, compared to control group. Among the LPD group, significant increase of lymphocyte number following MTX withdrawal was observed only in the R group, but not in P group while MTX dose, EBER positivity rate and pathological phenotypes did not show significant difference. Flowcytometric analysis revealed significant decrease in proportion of effector memory CD8+ T cells (EM CD8+), EBV specific CD8+ and T helpler 1 (Th1) subset in R group compared to control group. Following MTX cessation, significant increase in proportion of these subsets were observed only in the R group, but not in P group. On the other hand, proportion of CD14-CD15+ cells in lymphocyte fraction, which include myeloid derived suppressor cells 2) (MDSC) was significantly increased in LPD group at week 0, and significantly decreased following MTX cessation only in the R group, but not in P group. Proportion of CD14-CD15+ cells negatively and significantly correlated with the proportion of EM CD8+T cells. Conclusions Our study suggested that decreased lymphocytes at the time of LPD diagnosis and restoration following MTX withdrawal are associated with pathogenesis and clinical course of “regressive” MTX-LPD. Proportion of Th1 cells, EM CD 8+, EBV specific CD8+ and CD14-CD15+ cells was restored following MTX cessation, indicating their involvement in regression of MTX-LPD. References Ichikawa A, et al. Eur J Haematol 2013;91:20–8. Austin D, etal. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013;62:299–307. Acknowledgement none Disclosure of Interest S. Saito: None declared, K. Suzuki Grant/research support from: Eisai Co.,Ltd., Bristol–Myers K.K., K. Yamaoka Paid instructor for: Pfizer, Chugai Pharma, Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma, Takeda Industrial Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Nippon Shinyaku, Eli Lilly, Janssen Pharma, Eisai Pharma, Astellas Pharma and Actelion Pharmaceuticals, T. Shimizu: None declared, T. Mori Paid instructor for: Astellas Pharma,Chugai Pharma,Eisai Co.,Ltd.,Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., S. Okamoto Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma,Chugai Pharma,Eisai Co.,Ltd.,Bristol–Myers K.K., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,Pfizer, Paid instructor for: Astellas Pharma,Chugai Pharma,Eisai Co.,Ltd.,Bristol–Myers K.K.,Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Pfizer, K. Amano: None declared, M. Tokuhira: None declared, T. Takeuchi Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma, Bristol–Myers K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eisai Co.,Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd., Teijin Pharma Ltd., AbbVie GK, 2,Astra Zeneca K.K., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Novartis Pharma K.K., Paid instructor for: Astellas Pharma, Bristol–Myers K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eisai Co.,Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd., Teijin Pharma Ltd., AbbVie GK, 2,Astra Zeneca K.K., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Novartis Pharma K.K.

Musculoskeletal and central nervous system infections caused by Bacillus cereus are very rare. Only a few cases have been reported, whose clinical courses strongly suggested that surgical procedures combined with appropriate antimicrobial therapy are necessary to cure these infections. A 60-year-old man with severe neutropenia due to myelodysplastic syndrome, developing necrotizing fasciitis and brain abscess caused by Bacillus cereus is reported. Without performing any surgical procedures, the patient was successfully treated with systemic antimicrobial therapy combined with granulocyte colony stimulating factor, which contributed to the increase in the neutrophil count.

Despite numerous attempts to uncover the mechanism of other iatrogenic immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative diseases (OIIA-LPDs), this mechanism remains poorly understood, especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. We analyzed the data on 23 patients with LPDs and RA. Patients were categorized into three groups according to whether they had methotrexate (MTX); MTX-regressive LPDs, MTX-persistent LPDs or other drugs-mediated LPDs. The LPDs seen in OIIA-LPDs-RA might have a unique behavior to think about several rare phenotypes. The overall survival of all patients was 74% at 5 years, and those of the three groups were 100%, 64% and 60%, respectively. Among the 6 patients who died, 4 had LPDs that were detected late, and thus adequate treatment was not given. In addition, several patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma with a complex karyotype achieved complete remission (CR). Only one among the 17 patients who achieved CR relapsed. OIIA-LPDs-RA appeared to have a better prognosis than other more common types of lymphomas. Regarding RA treatment, various anti-RA drugs were given to the patients after developing LPDs, including MTX, but no recurrent patients were documented.

Bortezomib is a potent agent for multiple myeloma (MM); however, severe treatment-related toxicities such as peripheral neuropathy have been observed in conjunction with its use. In this study, we present the cases of 9 patients with refractory MM whose administration schedule was modified from twice weekly to an interval of once weekly or longer mainly due to adverse events. The average duration from diagnosis to the time of bortezomib induction was 56 months. The schedule was changed to the modified administration according to the physician's discretion. The average duration of modified treatment was 16 months. Six patients with IgG or IgA subtype showed more than a minor response. One patient with BJP had stable disease for 3 years, and the other BJP-type patient with extramedullary plasmacytomas showed remarkable tumor regression. The treatment-related toxicities of this strategy were mild and tolerable. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the administration of bortezomib at intervals longer than once weekly.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease mediated by inflammatory processes mainly at the joints. Recently, awareness of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (T-LPD) has been heightened for its association with methotraxate usage in RA patients. In the contrary, acute myeloid leukemia with multilineage dysplasia (AML-MLD) has never been documented to be present concomitantly with the above two conditions. In this report we present a case of an autopsy-proven co-existence of AML-MLD and EBV-associated T-LPD in a patient with RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by recruitment of leukocytes from the vasculature into inflamed synovial tissue (ST) and synovial fluid (SF), which depends, in part, upon the continued maintenance of chemotactic stimuli. RANTES is a potent chemoattractant for leukocytes including monocytes and CD45RO+ memory T lymphocytes. The aim of this study was to determine the production, the source, and the function of antigenic RANTES in arthritis. We detected antigenic RANTES in SFs from RA and OA patients (100 +/- 22.7 and 72 +/- 30.7 pg/ml, respectively). CM from RA ST fibroblasts stimulated with interleukin-1beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha contained significantly more antigenic RANTES than unstimulated CM (452 +/- 181.6 and 581 +/- 200.2 pg/ml, respectively, versus 12 +/- 4.4 pg/ml, P0.05). PHA-stimulated RA SF mononuclear cells secreted 5- to 15-fold more antigenic RANTES than did nonstimulated mononuclear cells, while LPS induced secretion up to 4-fold. We immunolocalized antigenic RANTES to sublining macrophages (28 +/- 3.7 and 8 +/- 2.0% immunopositive cells), perivascular macrophages (56 +/- 6.9 and 19 +/- 3.4%), and synovial lining cells (37 +/- 5.8 and 60 +/- 10.4%) in RA and OA tissue, respectively. Anti-RANTES neutralized 20.2 +/- 1.3% of the RA SF chemotactic activity for normal peripheral blood monocytes (P0.05). These results demonstrate antigenic RANTES in RA and OA ST and SF and identify RANTES as a chemoattractant for monocytes in the RA joint.

Treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was associated with rapid improvement in hemostatic markers. We made serial analyses of various hemostatic parameters in seven newly diagnosed APL patients. In all patients at diagnosis, plasma fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (fragment-E), cross-linked fibrin degradation product (D-dimer fragment), thrombin-antithrombin III complex and plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex were elevated, indicating the presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Antithrombin III (A TIII) levels were normal in all patients except for the patient with congenital ATIII deficiency. In four patients subsequently treated with ATRA without anticoagulant therapy, these hemostatic markers returned to near-normal levels by day 7 of treatment, indicating that DIC was essentially resolved. By contrast, in three patients who received conventional chemotherapy with a continuous low-dose heparin, improvement of coagulopathy was slower than in patients treated with ATRA. These results suggest that ATRA therapy exerts the rapid improvement in abnormal hemostatic markers in APL patients without any anticoagulant therapies, by inducing differentiation of leukemic cells and, in turns no massive release of procoagulant or fibrinolytic substances from these cells. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Resistance to activated protein C (APC), recently reported to be the most prevalent inherited cause of thrombosis among Caucasians, is associated with a single point mutation in the coagulation factor V gene. We investigated the prevalence of APC resistance and the factor V gene mutation (R506Q) in 34 consecutive Japanese patients with venous thrombosis or pulmonary thromboembolism and 63 control subjects. Three of the 33 patients examined (9%) had an APC ratio below the 5th percentile of control values (2.27), but all were above 2.0. The factor V mutation (R506Q) was not detected in the 29 patients studied, including the 3 patients whose APC ratios were below 2.27, or in 53 controls. In a tissue factor-based factor V assay to detect APC resistance recently described by Le et al. (Blood 1995;85:1704-1711), all patients studied were found to be normal including the three with a low APC ratio. We conclude that APC resistance and factor V gene mutation are less prevalent in Japan than in several European countries.