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A multicenter retrospective study was performed to explore a prognostic scoring index in order to identify a population who are least likely to benefit from allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The cohort included 519 patients with AML, who received HCT between 2005 and 2015 at a status of relapse or primary induction failure. Multivariate analysis demonstrated five independent predictors for OS, including C-reactive protein ≥ 1 mg/dL, peripheral blood blast fraction ≥ 20%, poor-risk karyotype, performance status ≥ 2, and bone marrow unrelated donor as a stem cell source. A prognostic scoring index was explored based on these predictors, and successfully separated the cohort into four groups. At 2 years, OS was 47%, 24%, 8%, and 0% for Good (Score 0, 1: n = 118), Intermediate-1 (Score 2: n = 75), Intermediate-2 (Score 3: n = 39), and Poor (Score 4: n = 24), respectively (P < 0.001). The predicting value of the index was confirmed in a validation cohort. Although a further validation study is warranted, the scoring index may be useful to predict survival and to identify the population with the lowest survival prior to HCT in patients with relapsed or refractory AML.

The CFA ratio, calculated using pretreatment C‐reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and albumin levels (CRP × fibrinogen/albumin), was previously reported to be a significant prognostic factor for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This multicenter retrospective study evaluated the prognostic value of the CFA ratio in 328 adult patients with newly diagnosed AML from April 2000 to March 2018. The median age was 49.5 years (range, 15–75 years), and 60.7% of the population were males. According to the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) risk classification, 67 patients (20.4%) were in the favorable‐risk group, 197 patients (60.1%) in the intermediate‐risk group, and 58 patients (17.7%) in the adverse‐risk group. The median CFA ratio was 1.07 (0–67.69). Based on the calculated cutoff CFA ratio of 1.44, the cohort included 176 and 152 patients with low and high CFA ratios, respectively. At a median follow‐up of 91.2 months, the 7‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) rates were 51.2% and 48.6%, respectively, in the overall cohort. The 7‐year OS rates were 61.7% and 39.0% in the low and high CFA ratio groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The 7‐year DFS rates were 58.1% and 37.0% in the low and high CFA ratio groups, respectively (p = 0.004). In univariate analysis, age ≥50 years, male sex, ELN risk class, and comorbidities were associated with poor OS. Age, ELN risk class, comorbidities, and high CFA ratio were associated with poor OS in multivariate analysis. Subgroup analysis revealed that the CFA ratio was significant in the intermediate and adverse ELN risk classes. These findings indicate the prognostic significance of the CFA ratio in AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), although predicting post-transplant outcomes remains inconclusive. This study evaluated patients who underwent allo-HCT for MDS to identify prognostic factors and develop a clinical risk model. Methods: We evaluated 55 patients between June 2000 and March 2015 to identify prognostic factors and develop a model for three-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). Cox regression analysis was performed on four factors: age ≥55 years; Hematopoietic Cell Transplant-Comorbidity Index >2; intermediate or worse cytogenetic status based on revised International Prognostic Scoring System; and unrelated donor status associated with poor OS in the univariate analysis. A clinical risk model was constructed using the sum of the regression coefficients and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis and five-fold cross-validation. Results: Patient median age was 51 (range: 30–67) years. Median follow-up was 45.8 (range: 1.27–193) months; the three-year OS and EFS rates were 61.8% and 56.4%, respectively. The areas under the curves (AUCs) for OS and EFS were 0.738 and 0.778, respectively, and the average AUC for 50 times five-fold cross-validation were 0.711 and 0.723 for three-year OS and EFS, respectively. Conclusion: A four-clinical-risk-factor model that could effectively predict post-transplantation outcomes and help decision-making in MDS treatment was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a form of myeloproliferative neoplasm caused by the oncogenic tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL. Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors have dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with CML, several problems such as resistance and recurrence still exist. Immunological control may contribute to solving these problems, and it is important to understand why CML patients fail to spontaneously develop anti-tumor immunity. Here, we show that differentiation of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), which are vital for anti-tumor immunity, is restricted from an early stage of hematopoiesis in CML. In addition, we found that monocytes and basophils, which are increased in CML patients, express high levels of PD-L1, an immune checkpoint molecule that inhibits T cell responses. Moreover, RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that basophils express genes related to poor prognosis in CML. Our data suggest that BCR-ABL not only disrupts the "accelerator" (i.e., cDCs) but also applies the "brake" (i.e., monocytes and basophils) of anti-tumor immunity, compromising the defense against CML cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is dismal after experiencing multiple relapses. This study retrospectively analyzed outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for 192 adults with AML in third or subsequent complete remission (CR3+), 300 in second relapse (REL2), and 50 in third or subsequent relapse (REL3+) who were enrolled in a Japanese nationwide transplantation registry. The study population included patients undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation, but not those undergoing haploidentical HCT. Patients transplanted in CR3+ had better survival than those transplanted in REL2 and REL3+ (48%, 21%, and 12% at 4 years; P < 0.001), and this was due to a reduction in post-transplant relapse (23%, 57%, and 52%; P < 0.001). The corresponding cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality was 33%, 26%, and 36% (P = 0.022). Multivariate analysis revealed significantly lower relapse and overall mortality for those in CR3+ and significantly lower non-relapse mortality for those in REL2. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for overall mortality were 2.02 (1.56-2.64) for REL2+ versus CR3+ (P < 0.001) and 2.12 (1.40-3.19) for REL3+ versus CR3+ (P < 0.001). Our analysis demonstrates the curative potential of allogeneic HCT for patients with a history of multiple AML relapses and suggests the potential benefits and risks of reinduction attempt before transplantation, highlighting the need for an individualized approach in determining whether to give reinduction therapy in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the clinical significance and genetic features of ASXL2 and ZBTB7A mutations, and the alternatively spliced isoform of the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript, which is also called AML1-ETO9a (AE9a), in Japanese CBF-AML patients enrolled in the JALSG AML201 study. ASXL2 and ZBTB7A genes were sequenced using bone marrow samples of 41 AML patients with t(8;21) and 14 with inv(16). The relative expression levels of AE9a were quantified using the real-time PCR assay in 23 AML patients with t(8;21). We identified ASXL2 (34.1%) and ZBTB7A (9.8%) mutations in only AML patients with t(8;21). ASXL2-mutated patients had a significantly higher WBC count at diagnosis (P = 0.04) and a lower frequency of sex chromosome loss than wild-type patients (33 vs. 76%, respectively, P = 0.01). KIT mutations were the most frequently accompanied with both ASXL2 (36%) and ZBTB7A (75%) mutations. Neither ASXL2 nor ZBTB7A mutations had an impact on overall or event-free survival. Patients harboring cohesin complex gene mutations expressed significantly higher levels of AE9a than unmutated patients (P = 0.03). In conclusion, ASXL2 and ZBTB7A mutations were frequently identified in Japanese AML patients with t(8;21), but not in those with inv(16). Further analysis is required to clarify the detailed biological mechanism of AE9a regulation of the cohesin complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 11q23 abnormality presents in approximately 5% of adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is associated with adverse outcomes even after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors following allo-HCT for adult AML with 11q23 abnormality, we retrospectively analyzed the Japanese registration data of 322 adult AML patients with 11q23 abnormality who had received allo-HCT between 1990 and 2014. In total, the disease status at HCT was first complete remission (CR1) in 159 (49%) patients. The probability of overall survival and the cumulative incidence of relapse at 3 years were 44 and 44%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, disease status beyond CR1 at the time of HCT was significantly associated with a higher overall mortality and relapse. The 11q23 fusion partner did not have a significant impact on survival. We also evaluated the prognostic value of minimal residual disease (MRD) status at HCT on transplant outcomes among hematological CR patients. MRD status at HCT was the significant prognostic indicator for hematological relapse and survival. These data suggested that allo-HCT offered a curative option for adult AML with 11q23 abnormality. Pretransplant MRD status was the significant prognostic indicator for relapse and survival in CR patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only curative treatment for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML); however, factors predicting allo-HSCT outcomes for CMML have not been well defined. This study assessed whether the existing five scoring systems for CMML prognosis could be applied for predicting allo-HSCT outcomes. We retrospectively evaluated 38 patients who underwent allo-HSCT for CMML from 2000 to 2014. At 3 years, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were 34.6 and 24.7%, respectively. According to the risk stratification at the time of transplantation, only the CMML-specific cytogenetic risk scoring system could successfully predict transplantation outcomes. At 3 years, OS was 56.7, 12.5, and 0% (p = .01) in the low, intermediate, and high-risk groups. Our data suggest that the CMML-specific cytogenetic risk stratification at transplant may be useful for identifying patients with CMML who may benefit from HSCT. However, further studies are warranted to confirm this observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical impact of KIT mutations in core binding factor acute myeloid leukemia (CBF-AML) is still unclear. In the present study, we analyzed the prognostic significance of each KIT mutation (D816, N822K, and other mutations) in Japanese patients with CBF-AML. We retrospectively analyzed 136 cases of CBF-AML that had gone into complete remission (CR). KIT mutations were found in 61 (45%) of the patients with CBF-AML. D816, N822K, D816 and N822K, and other mutations of the KIT gene were detected in 29 cases (21%), 20 cases (15%), 7 cases (5%), and 5 cases (4%), respectively. The rate of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with D816 and with both D816 and N822K mutations was significantly lower than in patients with other or with no KIT mutations (RFS: p < 0.001, OS: p < 0.001). Moreover, stratified analysis of the chromosomal abnormalities t(8;21)(q22;q22) and inv(16)(p13.1q22), t(16;16)(p13.1;q22) showed that D816 mutation was associated with a significantly worse prognosis. In a further multivariate analysis of RFS and OS, D816 mutation was found to be an independent risk factor for significantly poorer prognosis. In the present study, we were able to establish that, of all KIT mutations, D816 mutation alone is an unfavorable prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal treatment for use as a bridge to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the decision for transplantation has not been established in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We retrospectively evaluated the clinical outcomes after the decision for transplantation in our patients with MDS or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) secondary to MDS, aged more than 15 years, who underwent transplantation between 2007 and 2012. A total of 124 patients were included. We classified patients into two groups according to the bridge treatment selected at the decision for transplantation: Group 1, supportive care (n = 79), immunosuppressive therapy (n = 7), low-dose chemotherapy (n = 12); Group 2, AML-type induction chemotherapy (ICT: n = 22), azacitidine (Aza: n = 4). The rate of blasts in the bone marrow significantly influenced the treatment selection at the time of decision. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of overall survival (OS) from the decision (73.1% vs 80.4% at 1 year) or from transplantation (59.0% vs 59.2% at 1 year). A significant difference was not observed even after patients were stratified according to either the rate of blasts in the bone marrow at the time of decision or the propensity score. In conclusion, the bridge treatment selected at the decision for transplantation did not affect the outcomes of transplantation in patients with MDS. However, this analysis did not include patients who could not undergo transplantation after the decision, and thus a prospective study is warranted. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prognosis for disease relapse after first hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT1) is poor. Here, we present a retrospective multicenter study to evaluate the clinical outcome and the prognostic factors for second hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT2). The cohort in this study comprised 60 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia, who underwent HCT2 due to hematological relapse after HCT1. The overall survival (OS) at two years, non-relapse mortality (NRM), and relapse mortality (RM) were 30.3%, 40.9%, and 28.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis for OS identified the use of a donor other than matched-related (MR) donor (hazard ratios [HR] = 4.10, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.72–9.74,p = .001) and high disease status (HR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.28–6.56,p = .011) as the adverse risk factors for HCT2. On analyzing the combination of factors during HCT1 and HCT2, MR donor, reduced intensity conditioning regimen, and standard status were found to be significant as favorable prognostic factors for OS. Therefore, evaluating these prognostic factors would be helpful in taking decisions regarding post-relapse management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Body mass index (BMI), which represents the proportion of weight to height, is a controversial prognostic factor for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We evaluated prognostic value of BMI in Japanese AML. The study included 369 adult patients with newly diagnosed AML who were administered either daunorubicin or idarubicin with cytarabine as induction chemotherapy. The patients were categorized into two groups according to their BMI: the NW group (BMI < 25.0 kg/m2; normal and underweight) and OW group (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2; overweight and obese). We analyzed treatment efficacy and toxicity of induction chemotherapy, and survival outcomes in each group. Patients in the OW group showed a better complete remission rate than the NW group (86.1 versus 76.5%, P = 0.045), no early death (0.0 versus 4.1%, P = 0.042), and better overall survival (OS) at 3 years (62.2 versus 50.1%, P = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed BMI is an independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.92, P = 0.017). These results indicate the prognostic value of BMI in adult AML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of pre-transplant serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level on the outcome of reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (RIC allo-SCT) is unclear. This study retrospectively investigated 78 patients who underwent RIC allo-SCT between 2005 and 2013. The conditioning regimen consisted of fludarabine and melphalan with/without total body irradiation. The 3-year overall survival of high CRP (43.6 % of all patients) patients was significantly worse than that of normal CRP patients in whom CRP was ≤0.3 mg/dl (26.7 vs. 74.1 %, P < 0.001). Both the CRP level before transplantation and disease risk status were independent prognostic factors for overall survival by multivariate analysis. CRP was not a significant predictor of NRM by multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 3.2, 95 % confidence interval 0.8-13.1, P = 0.100). These results suggest that measuring the CRP level before transplantation can be useful to predicting the outcome of RIC allo-SCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult patients with mixed phenotype acute leukemia ( MPAL) have a poor prognosis, and the therapeutic role of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo- SCT) for MPAL remains to be elucidated. Thus, we retrospectively assessed the efficacy of allo- SCT for MPAL. Eighteen patients with MPAL were identified from the transplant outcome database of Kanto Study Group for Cell Therapy ( KSGCT). We also selected 215 patients with acute myeloid leukemia ( AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL) as control cohorts using an optimal matching method. The 5-yr overall survival ( OS) rate of patients with MPAL was 48.1%, and patients in remission at the time of transplant showed significantly better survival than those not in remission (5-yr OS: 71.8% vs. 0%, P = 0.001). No significant differences were seen in OS when stratifying patients according to immunophenotype, cytogenetic abnormalities, or the type of induction therapy. The 5-yr OS rate of patients with MPAL was not significantly different compared with AML control patients (48.1% vs. 48.1%; P = 0.855) or ALL control patients (48.1% vs. 37.8%; P = 0.426). These results suggested that allo- SCT is an effective treatment for MPAL, especially early in the disease course, and innovative transplant approaches are warranted to improve the transplant outcome of patients with MPAL who are not in remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multicenter retrospective study was performed to determine the significance of adding cytarabine (CA) or thiotepa (TT) in the context of total body irradiation (TBI) and cyclophosphamide (CY). A total of 322 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) were distributed to the following three groups: TBI/CY (n = 75), TBI/CY/CA (n = 77), and TBI/CY/TT (n = 170). In the TBI/CY/TT group, 164 of patients (96 %) received HCT during the previous year (2000-2005). Multivariate analysis revealed that the TBI/CY/TT group demonstrated a trend of poorer survival rate than the TBI/CY group, [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.99-2.24, P = 0.055] with a higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) (HR = 2.34, 95 % CI 1.35-4.06, P = 0.002) rates, while TBI/CY/CA group demonstrated similar outcomes. Even in the subgroup analyses of disease type or disease risk, the outcomes with intensified conditioning regimens were not superior to those with TBI/CY. In conclusion, although the significant bias has to be carefully considered, the clinical benefit of adding CA or TT to the TBI/CY regimen was not demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We retrospectively studied patients who relapsed after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) to identify factors influencing outcomes. Of the 296 patients (196 with AML and 100 with ALL), 102 (34%) experienced relapse at a median of 222 days (range: 30-2,748) after SCT. Multivariable analysis showed that high disease risk (hazard risk [HR]: 1.95; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-3.24; p = 0.010), unrelated donor (HR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.10-2.80; p = 0.018), and interval of < 180 days from SCT to relapse (HR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.26-3.51; p = 0.004) were independent factors of 2-year post-relapse survival (PRS). These factors were used as a prognostic index for PRS. The 2-year PRS in patients of score 0, score 1, score 2, and score 3 was 38%, 19%, 3%, and 0%, respectively ( p < 0.001). Our new prognostic index may be helpful for selecting the treatment for relapsed patients after SCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on findings of a study related to soluble interleukin-2 receptor and serum lactate dehydrogenase in patients with malignant lymphoma. Topics include induction of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) by mononuclear cell activation; significance of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as prognostic factor in lymphomas like large B cell lymphoma; and the role of analysis of LDH and sIL-2R levels in diagnosing tumors.

• Biomarkers to predict outcomes were assessed from the clinico-statistical approach. • A prospective multicenter observational study was performed. • Six promising biomarkers were successfully identified and validated. • C-reactive protein to platelet ratio was a novel biomarker to predict transplant outcomes. Various biomarkers have been developed and evaluated to predict the prognosis and complications of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Most previous studies conducted on different biomarkers evaluated single effects such as those associated with inflammation, immunology, iron metabolism, and nutrition, and only a few studies have comprehensively analyzed markers. The study aimed to survey comprehensive multiple markers prior to HCT and extract those that significantly predict the outcomes. A prospective multicenter observational study was performed. (UMIN000013506) Patients undergoing HCT for hematologic diseases were consecutively enrolled. Besides the usual clinical biomarkers, serum samples for extra-clinical biomarkers were collected and cryopreserved before starting the conditioning regimen. A total of 32 candidate biomarkers were selected, 23 from hematology, biochemistry, immunology, nutrition, and iron metabolism, and 9 from composite markers. Based on the area under the curve (AUC) values for survival, promising biomarkers was extracted. Internal validation for these markers was applied based on bootstrap methods. Setting the cut-off values for them, log-rank test was applied and outcomes including overall survival (OS), relapse, and non-relapse mortality (NRM) were evaluated using multivariate analyses. Furthermore, detailed analysis including transplant-related complications and external validation were conducted focusing on C-reactive protein (CRP) to platelet (Plt) ratio. A total of 152 patients with hematologic malignancies were enrolled from April 2014 to March 2017. CRP, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (IL2R), CRP to albumin (Alb) ratio, CRP to Plt ratio, Plt to IL2R ratio, and IL2R to Alb ratio were identified as promising markers. Internal validation successfully confirmed their reliability of AUC and multivariate analysis demonstrated the statistical significance between the higher and the lower markers. Above all, a higher CRP to Plt ratio was significantly associated with a lower OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30−5.91; P = 0.008) and higher non-relapse mortality rates (HR 2.79; 95%CI 1.14−6.80; P = 0.024) at 180 days. Furthermore, univariate analysis showed that a higher CRP to Plt ratio was significantly associated with a higher incidence of sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (P < 0.001) and bloodstream infection (P = 0.027). An external validation test confirmed the significance of the CRP to Plt ratio for these outcomes. The multicenter prospective observational study successfully identified significant biomarkers in patients with hematologic malignancies who received HCT. In particular, CRP to Plt ratio was identified as a novel and useful biomarker for predicting transplant outcomes. Further investigations are needed to validate the novel markers, analysis of the pathophysiology, and application to treatment settings other than HCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is a feared complication of influenza virus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients. • The risk factors and demographics of LRTI are discussed in a large cohort. • Early neuraminidase inhibitor therapy reduces the risk of progression to LRTI in these patients. Influenza virus infection (IVI) occasionally causes lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. Although the progression to LRTI entails a high mortality, the role of early antiviral therapy for its prevention has not been fully elucidated. This was a multicenter retrospective study using an additional questionnaire. Allo-HSCT recipients who developed IVI between 2012 and 2020 were included. A total of 278 cases of IVI after allo-HSCT were identified from 15 institutions. The median patient age was 49 years, and the median time from allo-HSCT to IVI was 918 days. Neuraminidase inhibitors were administered within 48 hours of symptom onset (early neuraminidase inhibitor [NAI]) in 199 (76.9%) patients. Subsequently, 36 (12.3%) patients developed LRTI. On the multivariate analysis, age ≥50 years (hazard ratio [HR], 2.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-4.58) and moderate to severe chronic graft-versus-host disease (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.14-4.58) were significantly associated with progression to LRTI, whereas early NAI suppressed the progression (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.46). The IVI-related mortality rate was 2.2%. To reduce the risk of LRTI development after IVI, early NAI therapy should be considered in allo-HSCT recipients, especially with older patients and those with chronic graft-versus-host disease. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many genetic alterations that are associated with the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been identified, and several risk stratification systems based on the genetic status have been recommended. The European LeukemiaNet (ELN) first proposed the risk stratification system for AML in 2010 (ELN-2010), and recently published the revised system (ELN-2017). We validated the long-term prognosis and clinical characteristics of each ELN-2017 risk category in Japanese adult AML patients who were treated in the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG) AML-201 study. We demonstrated that the 3-risk category system of the ELN-2017 successfully discriminated the overall survival and complete remission rates in our cohort in comparison with the 4-risk category of the ELN-2010. However, there were still genetic categories in which stratification of patients into favorable or intermediate risk categories was controversial; the low allelic ratio of FLT3 -ITD was not necessarily associated with a better prognosis in patients with FLT3 -ITD, and cytogenetic abnormalities may affect the prognosis in patients with favorable genetic lesions such as NPM1 and CEBPA mutations. As many molecular targeting agents, such as FLT3 inhibitors, have been developed, we must continue to modify the genetic risk stratification system to match the progression of therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The relationship between immune reconstitution and the prognosis after cord blood transplantation is unclear. We investigated the influence of natural killer (NK) cell recovery on transplant outcomes. The maximum number of CD56+CD3− cells or CD57+CD16+ cells was determined to assess NK recovery. Although the high CD56+CD3− group and high CD57+CD16+ group showed significantly better overall survival (OS) than the low group on univariate analysis, the high CD57+CD16+ group was associated with better OS on multivariate analysis. These results suggest that CD57+CD16+ cell recovery is more closely related to the outcome after CBT than CD56+CD3− cell recovery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]