Editorial Board
(Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - September 1, 2018 Category: Hematology Source Type: research
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in the Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Analysis
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) characterized by unique clinical and biologic features. Its main characteristics are a distinctive morphology of blast cells, based on a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 that generates the fusion of the promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor (PML-RAR) gene [1,2]. Not uncommonly, patients with APL can develop severe bleeding due to life threatening coagulopathy characterized by severe hypofibrinogenemia. (Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - August 31, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Bruno L. Ferreyro, Laveena Munshi, Michael E. Detsky, Mark D. Minden, Alexandra Cheung, Lisa Burry, Christie Lee Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
The influence of maintenance therapy of rituximab on the survival of elderly patients with follicular lymphoma. A retrospective analysis from the database of the Czech Lymphoma Study Group
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is considered to be an incurable disease, but most patients can survive for many years. [1] The indolent course of the disease is typically characterized by an initial response to the induction of immunochemotherapy but the disease typically relapses within several years. Many clinical trials have shown the clinical benefits of the addition of rituximab to the first-line chemotherapy regimen in terms of a better progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival rate (OS) [2,3]. (Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - August 31, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: David Belada, Vit Prochazka, Andrea Janikova, Vit Campr, Petra Blahovcova, Robert Pytlik, Alice Sykorova, Pavel Klener, Katerina Benesova, Jan Pirnos, Juraj Duras, Heidi Mocikova, Marek Trneny Tags: Research paper Source Type: research
Indications and use of, and incidence of major bleeding with, antithrombotic agents in myelodysplastic syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal disorders of the myeloid stem cell. They are generally a disease of the elderly and they are clinically characterized by cytopenias, including thrombocytopenia [1]. A large retrospective study of patients with MDS found bleeding to be the cause of death of around 10% of patients with MDS and to increase notably when platelet count was lower than 20 × 109/L [2]. (Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - August 31, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Marc Sorigue, Javier Nieto, Mireia Santos-Gomez, Edurne Sarrate, Maria-Jos é Jiménez, Cristian Morales-Indiano, Laia Lopez-Viaplana, Elisa Orna, Jose-Tomas Navarro, Josep-Maria Ribera, Blanca Xicoy Tags: Research paper Source Type: research
Chemotherapy based combinations in AML: Time to take a step back?
Complete remissions (CR) are documented in most, but not all, patients with AML deemed eligible for induction chemotherapy (CR rates>75% in patients younger than 60 years and>50% in patients older than 60 years). [1] Unfortunately, the majority of patients relapse within 3 years after achieving a CR and relapsed AML remains the most common cause of AML-related mortality. Thus, for patients with primary refractory and/or relapsed AML, resistance to chemotherapy, including cytarabine, remains a major clinical obstacle. (Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - August 31, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Bruno C. Medeiros Source Type: research
Emerging utility of flow cytometry in the diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Over the past 30 years the diagnosis of hematologic malignancies has shifted from being based almost exclusively on morphology and clinical data to include ancillary studies such as molecular studies, cytogenetics, and flow cytometry. In this regard, the diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) has lagged behind the diagnosis of other hematological malignancies as it relies predominantly on clinical/laboratory findings and the absence of certain disease-defining translocations. According to the 2016 revision to the WHO guidelines, the diagnostic criteria for CMML includes: persistent monocytosis ( ≥1 × 10...
Source: Leukemia Research - August 28, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Chad A. Hudson, W. Richard Burack, John M. Bennett Source Type: research
Epidemiology and survival of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare, aggressive hematological malignancy arising from plamacytoid dendritic cell precursors [1]. Its neoplastic cells have a distinct immunophenotype with expression of markers like CD4, CD56, BDCA-2, CD123, TCL1 and being negative for myeloperoxidase [2]. In the past, several different nomenclatures have been used to describe this malignancy until 2008 when the World Health Organization (WHO) classification described BPDCN as an entity under the family of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and related neoplasms [3]. (Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - August 24, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Guru Subramanian Guru Murthy, Naveen Pemmaraju, Ehab Atallah Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
Is there an epidemic of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in China?
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is common in Western countries with an incidence of 5-6/10E + 5 population/year whereas the estimated incidence in Asia (including China) is 10- to 20-fold less1–4. The reason(s) for this discordance is unknown but seems predominately genetic. Studies of large cohorts of Chinese with CLL are rare and there are no population-based studies in mainland C hina. Several seeming differences between CLL in Chinese and persons of predominately European descent are reported such as younger age at diagnosis, atypical morphology, different immune phenotype and genotype and an increased propo...
Source: Leukemia Research - August 22, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Shenmiao Yang, Robert Peter Gale, Hongxia Shi, Yanrong Liu, Yueyun Lai, Jin Lu, Xiaojun Huang Tags: Research paper Source Type: research
“Reversible” myelodysplastic syndrome or ineffectual clonal haematopoiesis? – add(6p) myeloid neoplasm with a spontaneous cytogenetic remission
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of malignant stem cell disorders characterised by ineffective, dysplastic, clonal haematopoiesis. The acquisition of mutations in a haematopoietic cell, due to aging or secondary genetic insults, drives clonal expansion and confers an increased risk of neoplasia [1,2]. In the pre-malignant state, this phenomenon is known as clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP)2. Subsequent expansion of the founding clone and sequential acquisition of additional driver mutations, typically promoting self-renewal and a proliferative advantage, together with a dysfun...
Source: Leukemia Research - August 15, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: K. Rady, P. Blombery, D.A. Westerman, M. Wall, M. Curtis, L.J. Campbell, J.F. Seymour Tags: Meeting report Source Type: research
“Reversible” Myelodysplastic Syndrome or ineffectual clonal haematopoiesis? - add(6p) myeloid neoplasm with a spontaneous cytogenetic remission
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of malignant stem cell disorders characterised by ineffective, dysplastic, clonal haematopoiesis. The acquisition of mutations in a haematopoietic cell, due to aging or secondary genetic insults, drives clonal expansion and confers an increased risk of neoplasia [1,2]. In the pre-malignant state, this phenomenon is known as clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP)2. Subsequent expansion of the founding clone and sequential acquisition of additional driver mutations, typically promoting self-renewal and a proliferative advantage, together with a dysfun...
Source: Leukemia Research - August 15, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: K. Rady, P. Blombery, D.A. Westerman, M. Wall, M. Curtis, L.J. Campbell, J.F. Seymour Tags: Meeting report Source Type: research
A novel extracellular matrix-based leukemia model supports leukemia cells with stem cell-like characteristics
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematopoietic malignancy characterized by an aberrant clonal expansion of undifferentiated myeloid blasts. Studies have shown that leukemia stem cells (LSCs) contribute to relapse after chemotherapeutic treatment. [1] Like normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), LSCs maintain their self-renewal ability while generating clonogenic leukemic progenitors capable of producing leukemic cells [2]. Anti-proliferative chemotherapeutic agents commonly target the rapidly cycling leukemic cells, but they generally are ineffective against the quiescent LSCs, partly because of enhanced dru...
Source: Leukemia Research - August 15, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Dandan Li, Tara L. Lin, Brea Lipe, Richard A. Hopkins, Heather Shinogle, Omar S. Aljitawi Tags: Research paper Source Type: research
Retrospective analysis of 36 fusion genes in 2479 Chinese patients of de novo acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Fusion genes are the main molecular biological abnormalities of hematological malignancies. They exist stably with tumor cells and are well established as diagnostic and prognostic markers for leukemia. They can also be used as molecular markers for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) with high sensitivity [1 –4]. Based on their essential role in the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, the WHO classification of neoplastic diseases of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues has incorporated some fusion genes into the diagnostic criteria for leukemia since 2000 [5]. (Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - August 14, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Xue Chen, Fang Wang, Yang Zhang, Mangju Wang, Wenjun Tian, Wen Teng, Xiaoli Ma, Lei Guo, Jiancheng Fang, Ying Zhang, Ping Zhu, Hongxing Liu Tags: Research paper Source Type: research
Retrospective analysis of 36 fusion genes in 2,479 Chinese patients of de novo acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Fusion genes are the main molecular biological abnormalities of hematological malignancies. They exist stably with tumor cells and are well established as diagnostic and prognostic markers for leukemia. They can also be used as molecular markers for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) with high sensitivity [1 –4]. Based on their essential role in the mechanisms of tumorigenesis, the WHO classification of neoplastic diseases of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues has incorporated some fusion genes into the diagnostic criteria for leukemia since 2000 [5]. (Source: Leukemia Research)
Source: Leukemia Research - August 14, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Xue Chen, Fang Wang, Yang Zhang, Mangju Wang, Wenjun Tian, Wen Teng, Xiaoli Ma, Lei Guo, Jiancheng Fang, Ying Zhang, Ping Zhu, Hongxing Liu Tags: Research paper Source Type: research
CPX-351 exhibits hENT-independent uptake and can be potentiated by fludarabine in leukaemic cells lines and primary refractory AML
Cytarabine (ara-C) is a well-established agent widely used for treating AML. Conventionally, it is combined with anthracyclines for treating newly diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). At higher doses it is combined with the purine analogue fludarabine plus idarubicin and G-CSF (FLAG-Ida) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory AML. Fludarabine is known to potentiate intracellular accumulation of the active cytotoxic metabolite ara-CTP from ara-C via inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase and the normal formation of endogenous dCTP [1], and removal of the inhibition of deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) by dCTP [2,3]. (Sour...
Source: Leukemia Research - August 11, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Elizabeth Anderson, Priyanka Mehta, Jonathan Heywood, Barbara Rees, Heather Bone, Gareth Robinson, Darren Reynolds, Vyv Salisbury, Lawrence Mayer Source Type: research
Imatinib resistance due to a novel and rare class of mutation at position S348 (1043nt C →A) of Bcr/Abl gene in a chronic myeloid leukemia patient
The chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) occurs due to t(9;22)(q34;q22.1) molecularly Bcr/Abl fusion gene. Imatinib mesylate (IM), the molecular targeted drug for the treatment of all phases of CML is a 2-phenylaminopyrimidine derivative that works by binding to the tyrosine kinase domain of Bcr-Abl and blocking its function [1,2]. Targeted inhibition of Bcr-Abl kinase with IM has become the frontline therapy for newly diagnosed CML patients [3]. Despite the successful treatment results obtained with IM, achievement of prolonged response to IM is still a challenging problem and a significant number of patients develop resistance...
Source: Leukemia Research - August 11, 2018 Category: Hematology Authors: Somprakash Dhangar, Selvaa Kumar C, Chandrakala S, Babu Rao Vundinti Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
