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Supplementary Methods, Supplementary Figure Legends, Supplementary Table

Kaplan-Meier estimated progression-free survival (PFS) in the intention-to-treat population

Major molecular response by 12 months, by Sokal risk group. bid, twice daily; MMR, major molecular response (defined as BCR-ABL1 transcript level {less than or equal to}0.1% [MR3.0]); qd, daily.

Purpose: Radotinib is a second-generation BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved in Korea for chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) in patients newly diagnosed or with insufficient response to other TKIs. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radotinib as first-line therapy for CML-CP.Experimental Design: This multinational, open-label study assigned patients (1:1:1) to one of two twice-daily radotinib doses, or imatinib daily. The primary endpoint was major molecular response (MMR) by 12 months.Results: Two hundred forty-one patients were randomized to receive radotinib 300 mg (n = 79) or 400 mg twice-daily (n = 81), or imatinib 400 mg daily (n = 81). MMR rates by 12 months were higher in patients receiving radotinib 300 mg (52%) or radotinib 400 mg twice-daily (46%) versus imatinib (30%; P = 0.0044 and P = 0.0342, respectively). Complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) rates by 12 months were higher for radotinib 300 mg (91%) versus imatinib (77%; P = 0.0120). Early molecular response at 3 months occurred in 86% and 87% of patients receiving radotinib 300 mg and radotinib 400 mg, respectively, and 71% of those receiving imatinib. By 12 months, no patients had progression to accelerated phase or blast crisis. Most adverse events were manageable with dose reduction.Conclusions: Radotinib demonstrated superiority over imatinib in CCyR and MMR in patients newly diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome–positive CML-CP. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01511289. Clin Cancer Res; 23(23); 7180–8. ©2017 AACR.

Achievement of MMR by 12 months according to 3-month EMR (< 10% of BCR-ABL1IS). (c) Radotinib 300 mg bid (n = 79 patients with evaluable molecular data at 3 months).

Objective The genetic hallmark of CML is known as the appearance of t(9;22)(q34.1;q11.2) (BCR-ABL1) which is present in more than 95% of cases. Here, we demonstrated practical laboratory tools for monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcripts in chronic myeloid leukemia patients undergoing TK inhibitor therapy. Methods Real time quantitative PCR and direct sequencing were performed for monitoring of BCR-ABL1 transcripts in 245 treated CML. Results At month 3 after first time point of monitoring, we found that 89% (218/245), 2% (5/245), and 9% (22/245) of patients are determined as optimal, warning, and failure response, respectively. The responses to TKI were slightly decreased at months 6 as following 73% optimal (180/245), 18% warning (43/245), and 9% failure response (22/245). Additionally, responses to TKI were gradually decreased at month 12 after first time point of monitoring as following 65% optimal (160/245), 13% warning (31/245), and 22% failure (54/245). We could detect 20% (49/245) of patients positive for BCR-ABL1 TKD mutations. Interestingly, one third (17 of 49) of TKD mutated cases were positive for compound/polyclonal mutation patterns. While major molecular response were observed in the majority of patients without TKD mutation, resistant to TKI were detected in patients with T315I mutation (n = 9; % mean IS = 8.1510, % median IS = 9.7000), compound/polyclonal mutations with T315I (n = 9; % mean IS = 13.0779, % median IS = 5.404), and other TKD mutations (n = 14; % mean IS = 8.1416, % median IS = 1.060), respectively. Conlusion: These practical laboratory techniques provided a more comprehensive understanding of CML progression during drug therapy and could be of benefit in earlier prognosis.

Summary In the phase 3 study RERISE, patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase demonstrated significantly faster and higher rates of major molecular response (MMR) with twice‐daily radotinib 300 mg (n = 79) or 400 mg (n = 81) than with once‐daily imatinib 400 mg (n = 81) after 12 months. With ≥48 months’ follow‐up, MMR was higher with radotinib 300 mg (86%) or 400 mg (83%) than with imatinib (75%). Among patients with BCR‐ABL1 ≤ 10% at three months, MMR and molecular response 4·5 (MR4·5) were achieved within 48 months by more radotinib‐treated patients (300 mg: 84% and 52%, respectively; 400 mg: 74% and 44%, respectively) than imatinib‐treated patients (71% and 44%, respectively). Estimated overall and progression‐free survival rates at 48 months were not significantly different between imatinib (94% and 94%, respectively) and radotinib 300 mg (99% and 97%, respectively) or 400 mg (95% and 93%, respectively). The treatment failure rate was significantly higher with imatinib (19%) than with radotinib 300 mg (6%; P = 0·0197) or 400 mg (5%; P = 0·0072). Safety profiles were consistent with previous reports; most adverse events occurred within 12 months. Radotinib continues to demonstrate robust, deep molecular responses, suggesting that treatment‐free remission may be attainable.

Introduction BCR-ABL1 mutations require consideration during second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor selection for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The present retrospective analysis compared the frequency of BCR-ABL1 mutations in Asian and white patients in whom imatinib therapy had failed. Patients and Methods A nonstudy cohort (76 Asian patients from community clinical practices) and 2 study cohorts (29 Asian and 352 white patients from dasatinib phase II and III clinical trials) were identified. Results In the nonstudy cohort, 80 mutations were identified; the most frequent was T315I (15%), followed by phosphate-binding loop mutations E255K (11%), G250E (10%), and Y253H (10%). Asian patients had a greater proportion of T315I and phosphate-binding loop mutations compared with the white patients. The nonstudy cohort was less likely to have multiple mutations compared with either study cohort. Single mutations highly resistant to dasatinib, nilotinib, and bosutinib were more frequent in the Asian than in the white cohorts. Conclusion These results suggest that mutational analysis findings will be invaluable for choosing an appropriate second-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor in Asia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of nilotinib (NIL) versus high-dose imatinib (IM) versus sustained standard-dose IM for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with suboptimal molecular response to first-line IM therapy. Patients with CML who achieved complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) but not major molecular response (MMR) after 18–24 months on first-line IM therapy were enrolled and divided into three treatment cohorts: NIL 800 mg/day (Cohort 1, n = 28) and IM 800 mg/day (Cohort 2, n = 28) in the RE-NICE study, and sustained IM 400 mg/day (Cohort 3, n = 52) in clinical practice. The primary efficacy variable of cumulative rate of MMR by 12 months was not different among the three cohorts. However, the cumulative incidence of MMR by 36 months was significantly higher in Cohort 1 than Cohort 3 (83.1% vs. 57.1%, P = 0.021), but there were no significant differences in Cohort 1 vs. 2 (P = 0.195) and Cohort 2 vs. 3 (P = 0.297). Different profile for adverse events was observed between NIL and high-dose IM therapy. In conclusion, our data suggested that switching to NIL may provide more effective long-term response than sustaining standard-dose IM for patients with suboptimal molecular response to first-line IM.

Purpose: Radotinib is a second-generation BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved in Korea for chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) in patients newly diagnosed or with insufficient response to other TKIs. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radotinib as first-line therapy for CML-CP. Experimental Design: This multinational, open-label study assigned patients (1:1:1) to one of two twice-daily radotinib doses, or imatinib daily. The primary endpoint was major molecular response (MMR) by 12 months. Results: Two hundred forty-one patients were randomized to receive radotinib 300 mg (n = 79) or 400 mg twice-daily (n = 81), or imatinib 400 mg daily (n = 81). MMR rates by 12 months were higher in patients receiving radotinib 300 mg (52%) or radotinib 400 mg twice-daily (46%) versus imatinib (30%; P = 0.0044 and P = 0.0342, respectively). Complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) rates by 12 months were higher for radotinib 300 mg (91%) versus imatinib (77%; P = 0.0120). Early molecular response at 3 months occurred in 86% and 87% of patients receiving radotinib 300 mg and radotinib 400 mg, respectively, and 71% of those receiving imatinib. By 12 months, no patients had progression to accelerated phase or blast crisis. Most adverse events were manageable with dose reduction. Conclusions: Radotinib demonstrated superiority over imatinib in CCyR and MMR in patients newly diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome–positive CML-CP. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01511289. Clin Cancer Res; 23(23); 7180–8. ©2017 AACR.

Background Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used in medical diagnostic research. In this work, two technologies, MNPs and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were combined to increase detection sensitivity and specificity. A novel technique based on the MNPs-PCR enzyme-linked gene assay (MELGA) was developed for detection of the BCR/ABL abnormal gene in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. Methods An MNPs-labeled BCR forward primer and a biotin-labeled ABL reverse primer were used to specifically amplify the target gene. After magnetic separation, the PCR product bound to MNPs labeled with streptavidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase was incubated with the peroxidase substrate and hydrogen peroxide to generate the colorimetric signal. Results When compared with real-time quantitative-PCR (RQ-PCR), the MELGA technique exhibited an increased sensitivity of

Recently, peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) has been widely used and replaced bone marrow (BM) as the stem cell source in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) because of a more rapid engraftment, easier accessibility, and lower risk of donor complications. We, therefore, report the predicting factors for the high PBSC harvest yields in 50 healthy donors. Among the 50 donors, median collected CD34+ cell number was 4.6 × 106/kg (1.5–16.3 × 106/kg). Number of circulating CD34+ cells and hematocrit (HCT) level increased parallelly whereas peripheral CD34+ cell numbers were decreased with increasing donor age. In univariate analysis, HCT level≥ 35.5% at the time of PBSC collection was significantly associated with high PBSC number (≥ 5.0 × 106 cells/kg) and donor aged

Anti recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) associated pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is an immunologic adverse effect of using subcutaneous r-HuEpo. Immunosuppressive agents have been suggested as treatment of this serious complication. After the reversal of anti-r-HuEpo antibody, the patients continue to have renal anemia and require long-term blood transfusion, albeit less frequently than when the antibody is positive. It is controversial whether re-challenging the patients with r-HuEpo is appropriate because re-challenging may cause the reappearance of the antibody. To balance the risk of antir-HuEpo antibody reappearance and longterm blood transfusion complications, we re-challenged r-HuEpo in five anti-r-HuEpo associated PRCA cases after a successful reversal of antibody using prednisolone in combination with cyclophosphamide. The rechallenge was performed intravenously since there were no reports of anti-r-HuEpo associated PRCA cases using this administration route. The duration after the reversal of antibody was 2.4 months before the re-challenge. Two patients were immediately re-challenged as soon as the antibodies reversed. After rechallenge with intravenous r-HuEpo, all patients responded to r-HuEpo: target level of Hb was maintained, blood transfusion was not required, and anti-r-HuEpo was consistently negative. All patients were followed for at least 6 months after re-challenge. Our data suggest that re-challenge with intravenous r-HuEpo can successfully treat anti- r-HuEpo associated PRCA.

The present case report represents a successful attempt to induce transplantation tolerance to organ allograft by combined administration of donor hematopoietic cells and kidney based on in vivo deletion of alloreactive host-vs-graft and graft-vs-host alloreactive T cells following non-myeloablative conditioning. We were able to induce mixed and eventually full donor chimerism and tolerance of kidney allograft in a 15-yr-old male with ESRD after cisplatin treatment and autologous HSCT for mediastinal germ cell tumor. Our approach to induce tolerance was based on preferential depletion of alloreactive T cells induced by exposure to donor's alloantigens and administration of cyclophosphamide at day 2 and day 3 after stem cell infusion. Additional non-specific immunosuppression as part of the conditioning included exposure to two fractions of TLI, treatment with alemtuzumab (monoclonal anti-CD52) and short-term conventional IS treatment to avoid early graft loss, because of request of IRB. Using this approach, with rapid tapering of all conventional IS treatment, the patient maintains good renal functions without evidence of both acute and chronic rejection for 32 months off all medications.

Nilotinib has shown favorable safety in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic (CML-CP) or accelerated phase (CML-AP) who failed prior imatinib, and superior efficacy over imatinib in newly diagnosed Ph+ patients with CML-CP. Reported here are the efficacy and safety data for patients in CML-AP (n = 181) or blast crisis (CML-BC) (n = 190; myeloid BC, 133; lymphoid BC, 50; unknown, seven) enrolled in an expanded access phase IIIb study. Non-hematologic adverse events were mostly mild to moderate. Drug-related myelosuppression was generally manageable with dose reductions or interruptions and infrequently led to discontinuation of nilotinib. Drug-related grade 3/4 elevations in serum bilirubin and lipase were infrequent. While an analysis of efficacy was not the primary objective of this study, significant hematologic and cytogenetic responses were observed. These results support the safety and efficacy of nilotinib in patients with advanced CML in AP and BC.

BACKGROUND: Nilotinib is a selective, potent BCR-ABL inhibitor. Previous studies demonstrated the efficacy and safety of nilotinib in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients in chronic phase (CML-CP) or accelerated phase who failed prior imatinib. METHODS: This expanded access trial further characterized the safety of nilotinib 400 mg twice daily in patients with CML-CP (N = 1422). RESULTS: In this large, heavily pretreated population, nilotinib demonstrated significant efficacy, with complete hematologic response and complete cytogenetic response achieved in 43% and 34% of patients, respectively. Responses were rapid, mostly occurring within 6 months, and were higher in patients with suboptimal response to imatinib, with 75% and 50% achieving major cytogenetic response and complete cytogenetic response, respectively. At 18 months, the progression-free survival rate was 80%. Most patients achieved planned dosing of 400 mg twice daily and maintained the dose >12 months. Nonhematologic adverse events (AEs) were mostly mild to moderate and included rash (28%), headache (25%), and nausea (17%). Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (22%), neutropenia (14%), and anemia (3%) were low and managed by dose reduction or brief interruption. Grade 3 or 4 elevations in serum bilirubin and lipase occurred in 4% and 7% of patients, respectively. The incidence of newly occurring AEs decreased over time. Of patients who experienced a dose reduction because of AEs and attempted a re-escalation, 87% successfully achieved re-escalation to the full dose. CONCLUSIONS: This large study confirms that nilotinib was well tolerated and that grade 3 or 4 AEs occurred infrequently and were manageable through transient dose interruptions. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.

Background: In RERISE phase 3 study, radotinib demonstrated significantly higher and faster rates of major molecular response (MMR) than imatinib in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. By 36 months follow up, MMR (BCR-ABL1IS ≤ 0.1%) and MR4.5 (BCR-ABL1IS ≤ 0.0032%) in radotinib 300 mg twice daily (bid) were higher than imatinib group. Also, early molecular response (EMR) at 3 months could predict better long term outcomes in both radotinib and imatinib groups. Here, authors updated 48 months long-term benefits and risks of 300mg bid and imatinib 400mg qd from RERISE phase 3 study (NCT01511289). Methods: RERISE study was randomized trial of radotinib 300 mg bid (n=79), radotinib 400 mg bid (n=81), or imatinib 400 mg once daily (qd) (n=81) in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. We evaluated long-term MMR and MR4.5, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) including safety data by 48 months. Results: At the study completion, 53% of patients with radotinib and 44% of patients with imatinib treated were remained. MMR and MR4.5 continued to be higher in patients receiving radotinib 300 mg bid compared with imatinib 400mg qd (Table). Especially, MMR rate by 48 months was significantly higher for radotinib compared to imatinib (76% vs 56%; P=0.0070, Figure). Also, early molecular response (EMR) at 3 months were observed in 86% of patients in the radotinib 300 mg bid group and 68% in the imatinib group (P = 0.0179). More patients treated with radotinib 300mg bid who had EMR at 3 months achieved MMR and MR4.5 by 48 months: 84% and 53% in the radotinib 300 mg bid group and 71% and 44% in the imatinib group, respectively. 48 months estimated OS and PFS rate were not significantly different in two groups (99% vs 94%; P=0.3224, 97% vs 94%; P=0.4328). Treatment failure was lower in radotinib group compared with imatinib group (Table). The safety profiles were consistent with those previously reported and most of adverse events (AEs) developed within 12 months. No new or unexpected safety events were reported in both arms by 48 months and no serious CVE related with radotinib reported. Conclusions: With a minimum 48 months follow-up, radotinib continued to demonstrate higher rates of MMR and MR4.5 than imatinib in newly diagnosed CML-CP. Also, these responses with radotinib were earlier and deeper compared with imatinib. Up to 48 months, no new and serious safety events related with radotinib reported. These results demonstrate that radotinib may have higher possibility of treatment- free remission (TFR) on frontline therapy as well as it can be one of the standards of care in newly diagnosed CML-CP. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Bunworasate: IL-YANG: Research Funding. Comia:IL-YANG: Research Funding. Mun:IL-YANG: Research Funding. Caguioa:IL-YANG: Research Funding. Kim:Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding; Ilyang: Research Funding.

Therapy related myelodysplastic syndrome (t-MDS) and secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are seriously late complications of the use of alkylating agents, topoisomerase II inhibitors, and other ...

Resistance and intolerance to imatinib are of particular clinical relevance to Asian patients because of their lower body surface area. Dasatinib is 325-fold more potent than imatinib in inhibiting BCR-ABL in vitro and is indicated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia resistant or intolerant to imatinib. Data from a series of phase I/II research trials were analyzed to compare the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic profile of dasatinib 70 mg twice daily in Asian and non-Asian patients. Results from 55 Asian and 615 non-Asian patients demonstrated that the efficacy and safety of dasatinib was comparable. Dasatinib was well tolerated, with no observed toxicities exclusive to Asian patients. A higher incidence of adverse events and lower rate of response observed among Asian patients with myeloid blast phase CML reflected the aggressive nature of the disease. Analyses of noncompartmental pharmacokinetics (5 Asian and 49 non-Asian patients) and population pharmacokinetics (17 Asian and 382 non-Asian patients) were also comparable. The efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic profile of dasatinib 70 mg twice daily is similar in Asian and non-Asian patients with CML. Dasatinib is therefore an important therapeutic option for this patient population.

Ferrokinetic and erythrokinetic studies were performed in 25 non-splenectomized patients with alpha or beta thalassaemia. Nine of these had HbH disease and six had HbE/beta thalassaemia or homozygous beta thalassaemia. In HbH disease, a mild anaemia was associated with severe peripheral haemolysis, increased splenic sequestration and only a moderate degree of ineffective erythropoiesis. By contrast, in the beta thalassaemia syndromes, a more marked anaemia was associated with prominent ineffective erythropoiesis and mild peripheral haemolysis. These findings indicate that the pathogenesis of anaemia in alpha and beta thalassaemia is different, haemolysis dominating in HbH disease and ineffective erythropoiesis in HbE/beta thalassaemia and homozygous beta thalassaemia.

Therapeutic options for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) resistant to 400 to 600 mg imatinib are limited. Escalating imatinib doses may overcome resistance. Dasatinib, a significantly more potent inhibitor of BCR-ABL, is safe and effective in this population. Patients with imatinib-resistant chronic-phase (CP) CML were randomized 2:1 to 140 mg dasatinib (n = 101) or 800 mg imatinib (n = 49). With a median follow up of 15 months, complete hematologic responses were observed in 93% and 82% of patients receiving dasatinib and high-dose imatinib (P = .034), respectively. Dasatinib resulted in higher major cytogenetic response rates (52%) than high-dose imatinib (33%) (P = .023); this included complete cytogenetic response in 40% and 16% (P = .004). Major molecular responses were also more frequent with dasatinib (16% versus 4%; P = 0.038). Treatment failure (hazard ratio [HR], 0.16; P < .001) and progression-free survival (HR, 0.14; P < .001) both favored dasatinib. Superficial edema (42% versus 15%) and fluid retention (45% versus 30%) were more prevalent with imatinib; pleural effusion was more common with dasatinib (17% versus 0%). Grade 3 to 4 nonhematologic toxicity was minimal. Cytopenias were more frequent and severe with dasatinib. Dasatinib represents a safe and effective therapy for CP-CML resistant to conventional imatinib doses with improved cytogenetic and molecular response rates and progression-free survival relative to high-dose imatinib.

Bone marrow transplantation is the only therapeutic option that can potentially eliminate thalassemic disease. Early results indicated that children in Class 3 Lucarelli had a much worse outcome because of high nonrejection mortality and high rejection rate. In the present study, reduced intensity stem cell transplantation (RIT) was performed in eight Class 3 Lucarelli patients conditioned by busulfan, fludarabine, and antilymphpcute globulin. One of the eight patients additionally received thiotepa, and total lymphoid irradiation (TLI), while one only received TLI. All patients received hydroxyurea 20 mg/kg/day daily >/=3 months before RIT. Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSCs) were given to a target number of CD34(+) cells more than 5 x 10(6) cells/kg of recipient weight. Seven patients received T cell nondepleted PBSCs from matched siblings while one patient received purified CD34(+) cells from two HLA antigen mismatched maternal PBSCs. The graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis included cyclosporine or tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Initially, an engraftment of donor cells was observed in all eight patients, but subsequently only six of eight patients had stable full donor engraftment. There were no deaths or Grade 3-4 acute GvHD in our patients. The present study lends support that the regimens described here produced minimal toxicity and resulted in stable full donor engraftment in the majority of the severe Class 3 Lucarelli thalassemia patients.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used in medical diagnostic research. In this work, two technologies, MNPs and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), were combined to increase detection sensitivity and specificity. A novel technique based on the MNPs‐PCR enzyme‐linked gene assay (MELGA) was developed for detection of the BCR/ABL abnormal gene in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. METHODS: An MNPs‐labeled BCR forward primer and a biotin‐labeled ABL reverse primer were used to specifically amplify the target gene. After magnetic separation, the PCR product bound to MNPs labeled with streptavidin‐conjugated horseradish peroxidase was incubated with the peroxidase substrate and hydrogen peroxide to generate the colorimetric signal. RESULTS: When compared with real‐time quantitative‐PCR (RQ‐PCR), the MELGA technique exhibited an increased sensitivity of

Recently published reports indicate that the outcome of unrelated donor transplantations in patients with leukemia is currently comparable to that of transplantation from identical family donors. We investigated the possibly favorable outcomes of related and unrelated transplantation in children with severe thalassemia. We reviewed transplantation outcome in 49 consecutive children with severe thalassemia who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation with related-donor (n = 28) and unrelated-donor (n = 21) stem cells between September 1992 and May 2005 at the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University (Bangkok, Thailand). Analysis of engraftment, frequency of procedure-related complications, and thalassemia-free survival showed no advantage from use of related-donor stem cells. The 2-year thalassemia-free survival estimate for recipients of related-donor stem cells was 82% compared with 71% in the unrelated-donor stem cell group (P = .42). The present study provides evidence to support the view that it is quite reasonable to consider unrelated-donor stem cell transplantation an acceptable therapeutic approach in severe thalassemia, at least for patients who are not fully compliant with conventional treatment and do not yet show irreversible severe complications of iron overload.

Neutropenia is a frequent complication in patients with malignancies undergoing cytostatic chemotherapy. It is also an important risk factor for infection. Fever is often the only sign of infection in neutropenic cancer patients. Although infections cannot be documented in a large proportion of febrile neutropenic cancer patients, empirical antimicrobial therapy based on clinical evidence and local data on microbiological epidemiology and susceptibility must be started immediately. The following recommendations for antimicrobial use in neutropenic patients with fever of unknown origin have been issued by a group of experts from countries belonging to the Asia–Pacific region. The task has been particularly challenging because of the significant differences among the participating countries, mainly in terms of microbiological epidemiology and resistance patterns. Indeed, in most countries of the region, and in contrast to the Western world, Gram-negative bacteria are the prevailing etiological agent of infections in febrile granulocytopenic patients. An additional difficulty has been the varying microbial susceptibility profiles and the high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), coagulase-negative staphylococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, viridans group streptococci, ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, among others. The recommendations that follow should be expected to provide general guidance to clinicians who care for febrile neutropenic cancer patients, rather than to operate as a substitute for their clinical judgment. 2. Definitions

CML in Asia seems to affect the younger age group and more patients are in the high and intermediate Sokal risk group. Cytogenetic study and molecular testing are done mostly at diagnosis, but monitoring the response is limited due to the cost and accessibility. The treatment of chronic phase CML has changed dramatically within the last decade and imatinib has become the standard treatment for CP, CML. Since the cost of imatinib is quite high, most Asian patients cannot afford it. Patients in several countries get imatinib through Glivec International Patient Assistant Program. Patients who are intolerant or resistant to imatinib usually get the second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), either nilotinib or dasatinib. The National Health Insurance covers all or most of the cost of imatinib in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Both nilotinib and dasatinib are partially or fully covered by national insurance in Australia, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan as the second-line therapy. TKIs treatment remains out of reach for many Asian CML patients, especially those in the rural areas and those who are not eligible for patient access programs or covered by the national insurance. The cytogenetic response to imatinib in Asian CML patients varies considerably, from as low as 24% to as high as 96%. The Asia CML Study Alliance was briefly presented.

We have performed an allogeneic stem cell transplant in an 18-year-old male patient who had Burkitt's lymphoma. The patient had disease which was refractory to conventional intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue was given but the patient relapsed within 2 months after transplantation. He was then treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation using a fludarabine, busulfan and anti-thymocyte globulin-based conditioning regimen. His GVHD prophylaxis included mycophenolate and tacrolimus. The patient had engraftment within 14 days. Investigation by FISH showed more than 95% of his peripheral blood nucleated cells to be of donor origin since day +14. He is now alive and well and remains disease-free 6-months after the transplant. A graft-versus-lymphoma effect is thought to be one of the factors contributing to his remission.

The combined use of Flu/ATG in nonmyeloablative SCT for severe aplastic anemia with multiple earlier transfusions

Background Recently, the second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors dasatinib and nilotinib have emerged as alternative treatments in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who are resistant to or intolerant of imatinib. Objective This article aimed to assess the cost utility and budget impact of using dasatinib or nilotinib, rather than high-dose (800-mg/d) imatinib, in patients with chronic phase (CP) CML who are resistant to standard-dose (400-mg/d) imatinib in Thailand. Methods A Markov simulation model was developed and used to estimate the lifetime costs and outcomes of treating patients aged ≥38 years with CP-CML. The efficacy parameters were synthesized from a systematic review. Utilities using the European Quality of Life–5 Dimensions tool and costs were obtained from the Thai CML population. Costs and outcomes were compared and presented as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in 2011 Thai baht (THB) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to estimate parameter uncertainty. Results From a societal perspective, treatment with dasatinib was found to yield more QALYs (2.13) at a lower cost (THB 1,631,331) per person than high-dose imatinib. Nilotinib treatment was also found to be more cost-effective than high-dose imatinib, producing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of THB 83,328 per QALY gained. This treatment option also resulted in the highest number of QALYs gained of all of the treatment options. The costs of providing dasatinib, nilotinib, and high-dose imatinib were estimated at THB 5 billion, THB 6 billion, and THB 7 billion, respectively. Conclusions Treatment with dasatinib or nilotinib is likely to be more cost-effective than treatment with high-dose imatinib in CP-CML patients who do not respond positively to standard-dose imatinib in the Thai context. Dasatinib was found to be more cost-effective than nilotinib.

As a group of more than 100 experts in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), we draw attention to the high prices of cancer drugs, with the particular focus on the prices of approved tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of CML. This editorial addresses the multiple factors involved in cancer drug pricing and their impact on individual patients and health care policies, and argues for the need to (1) lower the prices of cancer drugs to allow more patients to afford them and (2) maintain sound long-term health care policies.

The present case report represents a successful attempt to induce transplantation tolerance to organ allograft by combined administration of donor hematopoietic cells and kidney based on in vivo deletion of alloreactive host-vs-graft and graft-vs-host alloreactive T cells following non-myeloablative conditioning. We were able to induce mixed and eventually full donor chimerism and tolerance of kidney allograft in a 15-yr-old male with ESRD after cisplatin treatment and autologous HSCT for mediastinal germ cell tumor. Our approach to induce tolerance was based on preferential depletion of alloreactive T cells induced by exposure to donor's alloantigens and administration of cyclophosphamide at day 2 and day 3 after stem cell infusion. Additional non-specific immunosuppression as part of the conditioning included exposure to two fractions of TLI, treatment with alemtuzumab (monoclonal anti-CD52) and short-term conventional IS treatment to avoid early graft loss, because of request of IRB. Using this approach, with rapid tapering of all conventional IS treatment, the patient maintains good renal functions without evidence of both acute and chronic rejection for 32 months off all medications.

[Graphic][1] Background Radotinib is a second generation BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) developed by IL-YANG Pharm. Co., Ltd (Seoul, South Korea) and approved by the Korea FDA for the treatment of chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) patients who have failed prior TKIs. We conducted the randomized, open-label, phase 3 study to assess the efficacy and safety of radotinib, as compared with imatinib, for the first-line treatment of newly diagnosed CML-CP. Methods Based on baseline demographics and Sokal risk score, 241 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to radotinib 300 mg twice daily (bid) (n=79), radotinib 400 mg bid (n=81), or imatinib 400 mg once daily (qd) (n=81). The primary endpoint was the rate of major molecular response (MMR) by 12 months and molecular response was assessed by RQ-PCR at baseline and every 3 months. Secondary endpoints were the rate of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), MR4.5 by 12 months, and the rate of progression to accelerate phase or blast crisis. Results All three study groups were well balanced with baseline age, gender, race and Sokal risk score. With minimum follow-up of 12 months, the proportions of patients receiving a study drug were 86.3% (69/79) in radotinib 300 mg bid group, 71.6% (58/81) in radotinib 400 mg bid group, and 81.5% (66/81) in imatinib 400 mg qd group. By 12 months, rates of MMR were significantly higher in patients receiving radotinib 300 mg bid (51.9%, P = .0044) and radotinib 400 mg bid (45.7%, P = .0342) compared with imatinib (29.6%). The median time to MMR among responders were shorter on radotinib 300 mg bid (5.7 months) and radotinib 400 mg bid (5.6 months) than imatinib group (8.2 months). The MR4.5 rates by 12 months were also higher for both radotinib 300 mg bid (15.2%) and 400 mg bid (13.6%) compared to imatinib (8.6%). The CCyR rates by 12 months were also higher for radotinib 300 mg bid (91.1%, P = .0120) compared with imatinib (76.5%). There was no progression to accelerated phase or blast crisis in all groups by 12 months. Discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs) or laboratory abnormalities occurred in 7 (8.8%), 16 (19.8%), and 5 (6.2%) patients for radotinib 300 mg bid, radotinib 400 mg bid and imatinib, respectively. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 16.5% of patients receiving radotinib 300 mg bid, in 13.6% for radotinib 400 mg bid, and in 19.8% receiving imatinib. And grade 3/4 neutropenia occurred in 19.0%, 23.5%, and 29.6% for radotinib 300 mg bid, 400 mg bid and imatinib, respectively. The most common any grade non-laboratory AEs were skin rash (35.4% and 33.3%), nausea/vomiting (22.8% and 23.5%), headache (19.0% and 30.9%), and pruritus (19.0% and 30.0%) in radotinib 300 mg bid and radotinib 400 mg bid, respectively; AEs in the imatinib group were edema (34.6%), myalgia (28.4%), nausea/vomiting (27.2%), and skin rash (22.2%). Overall, grade 3/4 non-laboratory AEs were uncommon in all groups. Conclusions With minimum 12 months follow-up, radotinib demonstrated significantly higher and faster rates of CCyR and MMR than imatinib in patients with newly diagnosed CML-CP. The safety profiles of the radotinib and imatinib were different, and most AEs were manageable with optimal dose reduction. The results of this trial support that radotinib can be one of the standard of care in newly diagnosed CML-CP. | | Radotinib 300mg BID | Radotinib 400mg BID | Imatinib 400mg QD | | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------- | | | (N=79) | (N=81) | (N=81) | | Age, median (range), years | 45 (20-75) | 43 (18-84) | 45 (18-83) | | Gender, n (%) | | | | | Male | 52 (65.8) | 47 (58.0) | 52 (64.2) | | Female | 27 (34.2) | 34 (42.0) | 29 (35.8) | | Sokal risk, n (%) | | | | | Low | 21 (26.6) | 22 (27.2) | 22 (27.2) | | Intermediate | 38 (48.1) | 38 (46.9) | 39 (48.2) | | High | 20 (25.3) | 21 (25.9) | 20 (24.7) | | MMR by 12 months, % | 51.9 | 45.7 | 29.6 | | | P = .0044 | P = .0342 | | | Cumulative Incidence of MMR by 12 months¢O, % | 57.0 | 58.0 | 35.0 | | | P = .0040 | P = .0037 | | | MR4.5 by 12 months, % | 15.2 | 13.6 | 8.6 | | CCyR by 12 months, % | 91.1 | 81.5 | 76.5 | * ¢O Kaplan-Meier estimates of MMR Table. Baseline Characteristics, Molecular and Cytogenetic Response Rates Disclosures Kim: IL-YANG Pharm. Co. Ltd: Research Funding. Kim: Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Chung: Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Choi: Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that early molecular milestones were able to identify high-risk chronic myeloid leukemia patients treated with frontline imatinib (IM) and second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2G TKIs) such as nilotinib and dasatinib. However, whether a single measurement of BCR-ABL1 transcripts level after 3 months of treatment is sufficient to define failure necessitating a change of treatment is not confirmed. Radotinib (RAD) is a 2G TKI for BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase, which was approved by the Korea FDA for the second-line therapy, and the phase 3 study comparing the efficacy and safety of RAD 300 and 400 mg twice daily and IM 400 mg once daily in patients with newly diagnosed CP CML was performed. The aim of this study was to identify the predictive value of 3-month molecular milestone for an achievement of major molecular response (MMR) by 12 months to RAD therapy. Additionally, in the same population, predictive factors for achieving MMR by 12 months were analyzed. Methods: Among 241 patients who were enrolled in the randomized, open-label, phase 3 study of RAD, 236 patients with available 3-month qRT-PCR on study therapy [RAD 300 mg twice (n = 79), RAD 400 mg twice (n = 79), IM 400 mg once (n = 78)] were evaluated. Molecular responses were monitored using a qRT-PCR assay in 3-month intervals by 12 months. All qRT-PCR were tested with at least 4.5-log sensitivity in the central laboratory (Cancer Research Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea) and MMR was defined as a BCR-ABL1 transcript level of 0.1% or lower on the international scale (IS). Results: 236 patients (including 149 men and 87 women) with available 3-month qRT-PCR on study therapy were evaluated. With a median age of 45 years (range, 18-84 years), the distribution of low, intermediate and high Sokal risk scores were 27%, 47% and 26%, respectively. At 3 months, BCR-ABL1 ≤10% [RAD 300 mg twice (n = 68), RAD 400 mg twice (n = 69), IM 400 mg once (n = 55)] and >10% [RAD 300 mg twice (n = 11), RAD 400 mg twice (n = 10), IM 400 mg once (n = 23)] were observed. In the IM 400 mg once group, patients with BCR-ABL1 ≤10% at 3 months showed a significant higher rate of MMR by 12 months compared with that of patients with BCR-ABL1 >10% (38.2% vs 13.0%, P = 0.028). In the RAD 300 and 400 mg twice group, an achievement of 3-month EMR was associated with a higher rate of MMR by 12 months [57.4% vs 18.2%, P = 0.016 (RAD 300 mg twice) and 50.7% vs 10.0%, P = 0.018 (RAD 400 mg twice)]. After adjusting for factors affecting achievement of MMR by 12 months on univariate analyses, multivariate analyses showed that b2a2 transcript type (RR of 0.46, P = 0.023), large spleen size (RR of 0.91, P = 0.001), and no achievement of 3-month EMR (RR of 0.24, P = 0.004) were predictor for not achieving MMR by 12 months. Significance of 3-month EMR for achieving MMR by 12 months was observed in the separated treatment groups: RR of 0.24, P = 0.037 in the IM 400 mg once group, RR of 0.17 P = 0.028 in the RAD 300 mg twice group, and RR of 0.11, P = 0.040 in the RAD 400 mg twice group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that 3-month EMR can play key roles for 12-month MMR achievement in CP CML patients treated with IM and RAD. In addition, some factors for achieving 12-month MMR were detected. To evaluate the long-term prognostic value of 3-month EMR, further clinical investigations in a larger patient population with longer follow-up are needed. Disclosures Kim: IL-YANG Pharm.Co.Ltd: Research Funding. Chung:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) has been used for the treatment of renal anemia. With the loss of its patent protection, there has been an upsurge of more affordable biosimilar agents, increasing patient access to treatment for these conditions. The complexity of the manufacturing process for these recombinant proteins, however, can result in altered properties that may significantly affect patient safety. As it is not known whether various r-HuEpo products can be safely interchanged, we studied 30 patients with chronic kidney disease treated by subcutaneous injection with biosimilar r-HuEpo and who developed a sudden loss of efficacy. Sera from 23 of these patients were positive for r-HuEpo-neutralizing antibodies, and their bone marrow biopsies indicated pure red-cell aplasia, indicating the loss of erythroblasts. Sera and bone marrow biopsies from the remaining seven patients were negative for anti-r-HuEpo antibodies and red-cell aplasia, respectively. The cause for r-HuEpo hyporesponsiveness was occult gastrointestinal bleeding. Thus, subcutaneous injection of biosimilar r-HuEpo can cause adverse immunological effects. A large, long-term, pharmacovigilance study is necessary to monitor and ensure patient safety for these agents.

Recently, peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) has been widely used and replaced bone marrow (BM) as the stem cell source in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) because of a more rapid engraftment, easier accessibility, and lower risk of donor complications. We, therefore, report the predicting factors for the high PBSC harvest yields in 50 healthy donors. Among the 50 donors, median collected CD34(+) cell number was 4.6 × 10(6/) kg (1.5-16.3 × 10(6) /kg). Number of circulating CD34+ cells and hematocrit (HCT) level increased parallelly whereas peripheral CD34+ cell numbers were decreased with increasing donor age. In univariate analysis, HCT level≥ 35.5% at the time of PBSC collection was significantly associated with high PBSC number (≥ 5.0 × 10(6) cells/kg) and donor aged30 years was significantly associated with collected CD34+ cells ≥ 6.0 × 10(6) /kg, P = 0.03. HCT level ≥35.5% was an independent parameter for high WBC count (≥50 × 10(9) /L), P 0.05. None of donor who had both HCT 35.5% and WBC 50 × 10(9) /L had circulating CD34+ cells ≥ 5.0 × 10(6) /kg. Platelet count ≥ 200 × 10(9) /L was found significantly in donors with WBC ≥ 40 × 10(9) /L (P = 0.03) and HCT ≥ 35.5%, P 0.05. Collected PBSC number tended to be higher in our donors with high levels of HCT, WBC, and platelet. We also found that HCT and platelet levels in our donors decreased after receiving G-CSF administration compared with the initial complete blood counts (CBC) results. We, therefore, concluded that HCT level at the time of initiation leukapheresis was an important predictor for PBSC collection yields.

Nilotinib is a selective, potent BCR-ABL inhibitor. Previous studies demonstrated the efficacy and safety of nilotinib in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients in chronic phase (CML-CP) or accelerated phase who failed prior imatinib.This expanded access trial further characterized the safety of nilotinib 400 mg twice daily in patients with CML-CP (N = 1422).In this large, heavily pretreated population, nilotinib demonstrated significant efficacy, with complete hematologic response and complete cytogenetic response achieved in 43% and 34% of patients, respectively. Responses were rapid, mostly occurring within 6 months, and were higher in patients with suboptimal response to imatinib, with 75% and 50% achieving major cytogenetic response and complete cytogenetic response, respectively. At 18 months, the progression-free survival rate was 80%. Most patients achieved planned dosing of 400 mg twice daily and maintained the dose12 months. Nonhematologic adverse events (AEs) were mostly mild to moderate and included rash (28%), headache (25%), and nausea (17%). Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia (22%), neutropenia (14%), and anemia (3%) were low and managed by dose reduction or brief interruption. Grade 3 or 4 elevations in serum bilirubin and lipase occurred in 4% and 7% of patients, respectively. The incidence of newly occurring AEs decreased over time. Of patients who experienced a dose reduction because of AEs and attempted a re-escalation, 87% successfully achieved re-escalation to the full dose.This large study confirms that nilotinib was well tolerated and that grade 3 or 4 AEs occurred infrequently and were manageable through transient dose interruptions.

A novel tool for the detection of BCR/ABL fusion gene in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) was developed by a magneto-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-enzyme linked gene technique. The forward primers covalently bound to the surface of magnetic nanoparticles allowed a convenient separation of PCR products with high sensitivity (0.5 pg ml(-1)) and high specificity using K562 cell line and CML patients. The results were obtained when the biotinylated-reverse primer bound to streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrolysed the substrate. This novel readout system was approximately 1000-fold more sensitive than the conventional agarose gel electrophoresis. The present technique is practical and useful for following up CML patients and for providing appropriate treatment, particularly to patients in remote areas.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) management varies across Asia due to disparities in affluence and healthcare provision. We surveyed CML management practice at 33 hospitals in 14 countries/regions to identify treatment challenges and opportunities for harmonization. Patients were generally treated according to international guidelines; however, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and molecular monitoring are inaccessible to many patients not covered by national insurance or eligible for subsidized treatment. Late diagnosis and suboptimal monitoring, often due to cost and accessibility issues, are challenges. Priorities for Asia include: extending accessibility to TKIs; specialist laboratory monitoring; and enriching data to support regional CML management guidelines.

Background Thalidomide based regimen is an effective and well tolerated therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) patients, however, there were a small number of studies written about the results of thalidomide therapy in non-transplant MM patients. We therefore conducted a retrospective study of 42 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory MM treated with thalidomide- based induction regimens followed by thalidomide maintenance therapy. Results Induction regimens with thalidomide and dexamethasone, and the oral combination of melphalan, prednisolone and thalidomide were administrated in 22 and 16 patients, respectively. The remaining 4 patients received other thalidomide- containing regimens. Twenty-nine patients received thalidomide as a salvage regimen. Twenty-three out of 26 patients achieving complete remission (CR) and very good partial remission (VGPR) received thalidomide maintenance. Of the 41 evaluable patients, median time of treatment was 21 months (3- 45 months), ORR was 92.7% with a 63.4% CR/VGPR. With a median follow up of 23 months, 3-year- PFS and 3-year-OS were 58.6 and 72.6%, respectively. Median time to progression was 42 months. While 3-year-PFS and 3-year-OS in non-transplant patients receiving thalidomide maintenance therapy were 67 and 80%, respectively. Conclusions Prolonged thalidomide therapy enhanced survival rate and less frequently developed serious toxicity in non-transplant multiple myeloma patients.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the heterogeneous disease. As per previous reports, there are some differences in clinical features and cytogenetic biomarkers of AML among different ethnic backgrounds. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to analyze clinical outcomes and predictive factors of Thai AML patients receiving chemotherapy treatment.The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 106 adults with newly diagnosed de novo AML at Ramathibodi Hospital between 2003 and 2007. Of 101 patients with non- M3 subtype, the patients received induction and consolidation chemotherapy with anthracyclin plus cytarabine based regimens (3 + 7). All patients achieving complete remission (CR) were treated with intensive chemotherapy using intermediate dose cytarabine plus anthracyclin based protocol. All patients with M3 subtype, the induction chemotherapy consisted of a combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and anthracyclin. All patients achieving complete remission (CR) were treated with three courses of mitoxantrone as consolidation chemotherapy, followed by maintenance chemotherapy with methotrexate, etoposide and ATRA.Of the 106 patients, median age was 43.5 years (15-73 years) and 19 (17.9%) were older than 60 years. Fifty-six patients (52.8%) were female. Common subtypes were M4 (28.3%), M1 (26.4%) and M2 (20.8%). Of the 95 patients who were performed with cytogenetic analysis, 55 (58%) had abnormal karyotype. AML with recurrent cytogenetic translocations, complex chromosome, trisomy 8, polyploidy, del 5q and del 7q were found in 16.8, 6.3, 5.3, 5.3, 2.1 and 3.2%, respectively. Most patients (70.5%) had intermediate-risk cytogenesis. Eighty patients (75.5%) were treated with idarubicin and cytarabine induction regimen. Of the 96 evaluable patients, 60 (62.5%) achieved complete remission (CR), 38 (39.6%) with the first course of chemotherapy. Median time to CR was 54 days (25-168 days). The CR rate was 78.6% for the good-risk cytogenetic group, 67.2% for the intermediate- risk cytogenetic group, and 37.5% for the poor-risk cytogenetic group. Median follow-up time was 10.4 months, 5-year-DFS and 5-year-OS were 41 and 22.2%, respectively. Patients with poor-risk cytogenetic factors had significantly lower CR rate (p = 0.021). The CR status significantly predicted OS (p0.001).The overall complete remission rate of Thai AML patients is in 60%. Only a small proportion of the presented patients have long-term DFS and OS, the significant factor for predicting survival of Thai AML patients is the complete remission status. Poor-risk cytogenetic factors are associated with poor treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND: In patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML), imatinib resistance is of increasing importance. Imatinib dose escalation was the main treatment option before dasatinib, which has 325-fold more potent inhibition than imatinib against unmutated Bcr-Abl in vitro. Data with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up were available for the current study of dasatinib and high-dose imatinib in CP-CML resistant to imatinib at daily doses from 400 mg to 600 mg. METHODS: A phase 2, open-label study was initiated of 150 patients with imatinib-resistant CP-CML who were randomized (2:1) to receive either dasatinib 70 mg twice daily (n = 101) or high-dose imatinib 800 mg (400 mg twice daily; n = 49). RESULTS: At a minimum follow-up of 2 years, dasatinib demonstrated higher rates of complete hematologic response (93% vs 82%; P = .034), major cytogenetic response (MCyR) (53% vs 33%; P = .017), and complete cytogenetic response (44% vs 18%; P = .0025). At 18 months, the MCyR was maintained in 90% of patients on the dasatinib arm and in 74% of patients on the high-dose imatinib arm. Major molecular response rates also were more frequent with dasatinib than with high-dose imatinib (29% vs 12%; P = .028). The estimated progression-free survival also favored dasatinib (unstratified log-rank test; P = .0012). CONCLUSIONS: After 2 years of follow-up, dasatinib demonstrated durable responses and improved response and progression-free survival rates relative to high-dose imatinib. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.

Background. Anti-r-HuEpo associated PRCA developed in patients received subcutaneous injection of r-HuEpo for treatment of renal anemia in chronic kidney disease. This adverse immunological effect of r-HuEpo causes sudden loss of r-HuEpo efficacy, low circulating reticulocyte count and bone marrow biopsy shows an absence of erythroid precursor cells with normal cell population of non-erythroid lineage. There are postulation cause of anti-r-HuEpo associated PRCA including genetic factor, immunogenicity factor, storage and handlings factor and formulation of r-HuEpo product. Previous observation of our report showed an aggregation of HLA-DRB1*09 in four anti-r-HuEpo associated PRCA cases. This allele is rare in Caucasian (

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in Asia has an incidence rather lower than in Western countries yet tends to afflict a younger population. As in the West, imatinib mesylate (IM, Glivec) has supplanted busulphan, hydroxyurea and interferon-alpha as first-line treatment. Its use has resulted in a dramatic decline in the number of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) performed. Although it is expensive, IM induces a complete cytogenetic response in 60-90% of newly diagnosed patients, and up to 10% for those in blastic phase. The standard dose of 400 mg is well tolerated by most patients, although adverse events have been observed, including drug-induced cytopenia. Through the Glivec International Patient Assistance Program, the majority of CML patients has access to IM and can expect prolonged survival, even in the absence of HSCT. However, just as in Western countries, resistance to imatinib has emerged in Asian countries. They will require the novel tyrosine kinase inhibitors (dasatinib, nilotinib) becoming available through either clinical trials or market approval. This review examines the available data on CML in China, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder of hematopoietic stem cells. It is characterized at cytogenetic level by the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome and at the molecular level by the BCR/ABL gene rearrangement. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are also pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into several mesenchymal tissues. To date, no study has been performed to characterize whether MSCs from CML harbor the abnormal Ph chromosome similar to CML bone marrow cells. We isolated and characterized MSCs from diagnostic marrow samples (n = 11) and showed that MSCs can be readily isolated from CML marrow and exhibit major expansion potential as well as intact osteogenic differentiation ability. Moreover, they do not harbor the Ph chromosome confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Thus, we demonstrated that CML marrow is an abundant source of MSCs appearing through both FISH and RT-PCR not to be involved by the malignant process of CML. Furthermore, these MSCs from a CML patient could support in vitro cord blood expansion as those MSCs from a normal donor. Since MSCs are able to support engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells in stem cell transplantation (SCT) as well as suppress alloreactive T cells causing graft-versus-host disease, this current report thus provides evidence that in a SCT setting of CML patients, autologous MSCs could be a source of stem cell support in future cell therapy applications.

Background. In chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), achievement of optimal responses by time point has improved long-term outcomes. In IRIS study, patients who achieved major molecular response (MMR) at 18 months had event-free survival (EFS) benefit, compared to those who achieved complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) without MMR. However, the best treatment for these patients is still not confirmed. By the previous studies, sustaining standard-dose of imatinib (IM) is expected to yield less than 20 percent of additive MMR. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of nilotinib (NIL) versus high-dose IM versus sustaining standard-dose IM for CCyR patients with suboptimal molecular response to frontline IM therapy. Methods. Early chronic phase (CP) CML patients who have achieved CCyR but no MMR after at least 18 months and up to 24 months ( 18 to 24 months) on first-line IM therapy at a daily dose of 400 mg were divided into 3 treatment groups; NIL 400mg BID (800 mg/day; group 1) vs IM 400 mg BID (800 mg/day; group 2) vs IM 400mg QD (400mg/day; group 3). Group 1 and 2 patients were selected in RE-NICE multicenter study and group 3 patients were selected with the same inclusion criteria of RE-NICE. The efficacy endpoints are MMR rate by 12 months and MMR rate and undetectable molecular residual disease (UMRD) rates by 36 months. Safety profiles of each group were compared. Patients showing lack of response (lack of complete hematologic response (CHR) at 6 months, increasing WBC, no major cytogenetic response (MCyR) at 24 months), loss of response (loss of CHR or MCyR) or intolerance to treatment were allowed to switch to other treatment. Results. With a data cut-off date of 17 Jul 2014, a total of 83 patients were evaluated; 29 patients in NIL group (group 1), 29 patients in high-dose IM group (group 2) and 25 patients in standard-dose IM group (group 3). With a median follow-up of 36 months (range, 1-63), all patients in group 1 remained in nilotinib treatment, 17 patients in group 2 switched to NIL 400mg BID due to intolerance (n=4) and lack of response (no MMR; n=13). In group 3, with a median follow-up of 71 months (range, 6-132), 15 patients switched to other treatment due to intolerance (n=5) and lack of response (no MMR; n=10). Up to now, all patients in three groups have maintained CCyR without progression or resistance. 10 in 29 (35%), 8 in 29 (28%) and 5 in 25 (20%) patients achieved MMR by 12 months, and 20 in 29 (69%), 15 in 29 (51%) and 11 in 25 (44%) patients achieved MMR by 36 months in group 1, group 2 and group 3 respectively. Overall, 3 patients in group 1 (3/29, 10%) achieved confirmed UMRD. Overall 3 years probability of MMR was significantly higher in group 1 than the other two groups (67.8% vs 41.0% vs 40.4%, group 1, 2, 3 respectively, group 1 vs 2, P=0.089, group 1 vs 3, P=0.035, group 2 vs 3, P=0.614). Compare to other groups, the patients in group 2 showed higher toxicities, such as leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, edema, fatigue, dyspnea and hypophosphatemia. Conclusions. Nilotinib 400mg twice daily treatment showed better efficacy than high-dose or same standard-dose imatinib for the treatment of patients who have suboptimal molecular response to initial standard-dose imatinib. Additionally, a switch to nilotinib in suboptimal molecular responder to imatinib would also be preferable option in terms of tolerability. Updated data with longer follow-up duration will be presented in the meeting. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein and skin changes) syndrome is a multisystem disorder associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. Other clinical signs include clubbing of the fingers, edema, papilledema etc. Although papilledema and increased intracranial pressure are common features, their causes or pathophysiology have been uncertain. The authors report here a 16-year-old Thai patient with these features who also suffered from venous sinus thrombosis and visual failure which have never been reported before. The former is considered to be one of the possible causes of the intracranial hypertension and visual failure. MRI of the brain and optic nerve revealed enhancement and swelling of the optic nerve sheaths and optic discs. MRV findings were compatible with chronic veno-occlusive disease. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy demonstrated an increase of aggregates of intermediate and mature plasma cells. The CSF pressure was markedly elevated. His clinical condition continued to deteriorate and he expired 3 years and 5 months from the onset of his illness. Although, overproduction of vascular endothelial growth factor has been reported and is being considered to be the possible cause of vascular hyperpermeability, the chronic venous sinus thrombosis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intracranial hypertension and visual failure.

To determine the outcome of children with homozygous beta-thalassemia (beta/beta) and severe beta-thalassemia/hemoglobin E disease (beta/E) who underwent allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The authors conducted a cohort study of allogeneic PBSCT in beta/beta and beta/E patients who had 6/6 or 5/6 HLA-matched sibling donors. All patients received a conditioning regimen including busulfan and cyclophosphamide, except one who received busul-fan and cyclophosphamide plus antithymocyte globulin. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine A and methotrexate for eight patients and cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil for one patient. Donors received G-CSF for 4 days before leukapheresis collections. There were five beta/beta and four beta/E patients in this study. The median age was 9 years (range 1.5-10 years). The median CD34+ cell count was 7.4 x 10(6) cells/kg recipient body weight. All patients achieved neutrophil and platelet engraftment with a median time of 15 days and 21 days respectively. Acute GVHD grade 2 to 4 appeared in four patients (grade 2, n = 3; grade 4, n = 1). Three patients developed chronic GVHD (limited, n = 2; extensive, n = 1). All patients were alive with a median follow-up time of 23 months (range 7-52 months). Neither graft failure nor graft rejection was observed. Allogeneic PBSCT is feasible for children with beta/beta and beta/E, although the incidence of GVHD was apparently high compared with bone marrow transplant study in Thais.