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Newer cytogenetic scoring systems for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), like cytogenetic stratification of the revised international prognostic scoring system (IPSS-R) or monosomal karyotype, may also improve outcome prediction after hematopoietic SCT (HCT). We compared the prognostic value of specific cytogenetic abnormalities, IPSS-R karyotype and monosomal karyotype for HCT outcome in 98 patients with MDS and AML post MDS. Higher-risk IPSS-R karyotype, 3q21q26 and transformation to AML before HCT were associated with increased cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), whereas OS was adversely influenced by del 5q/-5, abnormalities of chromosomes 11 and 17 and cytogenetic IPSS-R very poor category. Karyotype with ⩽2 abnormalities and no abnormalities of chromosomes 3, 5, 7, 11 and 17 was an independent prognostic factor of lower CIR (hazard ratio (HR)=0.2, P=0.01) and longer OS (HR=0.5, P=0.03). In conclusion, some specific cytogenetic abnormalities and high cytogenetic complexity, as reflected by IPSS-R very poor karyotype, rather than monosomal karyotype, were associated with higher CIR and shorter OS after HCT. Conversely, results were encouraging in patients lacking those abnormalities, who may be very good candidates for HCT.

In elderly patients with secondary leukemia, poor therapeutic response and low overall survival have been attributed mainly to age and to the primary resistance of leukemic cells to chemotherapy. Modulation of resistance has been attempted in different studies, but the results have been contradictory. We conducted an open, randomized multicenter clinical trial involving patients more than 60 years old with secondary leukemia preceded by a myelodysplastic syndrome. The induction chemotherapy regimen included idarubicin, cytarabine, and etoposide (group A); randomization involved simultaneous administration of cyclosporin-A per os (group B). Fifty-five patients were evaluated, 26 in group A and 29 in group B. Overall complete remission was achieved in 40% of the patients, 27% vs 52% in groups A and B, respectively ( p=0.01). Leukemia-free survival was more favorable in patients who received cyclosporin-A, 12 vs 7 months for groups B and A, respectively ( p=0.03). In a follow up period of 30 months, 7 out of 55 patients (13%) were alive, 4 of whom were in complete remission. Five out of the 7 alive patients were randomized in group B and had received cyclosporin-A. Treatment failure was higher in group A [19 of 26 patients (73%)] than in group B with CsA [14 of 29 patients (48%)] ( p<0.0001). Treatment-related toxicity/mortality was 13%. Modulation of drug resistance by CsA in elderly people suffering from secondary acute leukemia may improve the outcome of chemotherapy without increasing drug toxicity and treatment-related mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]