#72: Implementing an Algorithm-based Approach for Treatment of Fever and Neutropenia in Pediatric Oncology Patients in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S22-S22
Author(s):  
Sara Ordóñez ◽  
Marco Luque ◽  
Pamela Zacasa ◽  
Ligia Fu ◽  
Armando Peña ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fever and neutropenia (FN) is a frequent complication in pediatric oncology patients, especially in high-risk patients. In our institution, 43% of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients in induction have at least one hospitalization for FN. A lack of institutional guidelines has led to misuse of antibiotics, prolonged antibiotic wait time and hospitalizations, and unnecessary venipunctures, among others. Implementing an algorithm has provided us with a baseline of previous FN management, and has led to an improvement in management as a whole and to critical areas such as lowering antibiotic wait time in these patients. Methods Throughout 2017 we created and revised an algorithm for the management of FN based on current international FN guidelines and, tailored to our specific setting and needs. Orientation began 2 months prior to implementation, with intense training of residents, attendings, and nursing staff one month prior, and for the first 2 months of implementation. Active surveillance of adherence and outcomes, plus periodic retraining has been done throughout implementation. Adherence measurements include antibiotic wait time, use of antibiotics according to risk stratification, number of algorithm deviations, and collection of blood cultures. Results Seventy-four patients met inclusion criteria from May 2018 to April 2019. Results were compared between early implementation, (first 3 months: group 1), to the remaining 9 months of the first year (group 2). Time to initial evaluation decreased by 75%, from 76.8 minutes in group 1 to 20.6 minutes in group 2 (P < 0.05). Antibiotic wait time decreased by 54.9%, from 5.18 hours to 2.3 hours (P = 0.0074). Time to blood culture was reduced by 65.3%, from 248 minutes to 85 minutes (P = 0.0040). Incorrect use of antibiotics according to risk stratification decreased by 59.2%, from 42% in group 1 to 17% in group 2 (P = 0.10). Total number of deviations decreased from 1.39 per patient to 1.17 per patient (P = 0.22; Table 1). Conclusions Through initial and periodical training and active surveillance, key targets for adherence showed significant improvement throughout the first year of implementation. Maintaining communication with providers through monthly reports of audits, discussions of cases, and retraining improved awareness and willingness to adhere to protocol. Implementation has been particularly useful to residents and attendings outside of the Oncology Ward, where 49% of FN patients in our hospital are treated. It has provided standardized management, improved detection of cases, and reduced delays in care.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aylin Karalezli ◽  
Sema Kaderli ◽  
Ahmet Kaderli ◽  
Cansu Kaya ◽  
Sabahattin Sul

Abstract Purpose: To compare the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) or intravitreal dexamethasone implants (IVD) on regression of hyperreflective dots (HRDs) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scan in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: 37 eyes of 37 patients with cystoid macular edema who received IVR or IVD and followed up for at least 12 months were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups according to intravitreal treatment. Group 1 consisted of 12 eyes who received only IVD, group 2 consisted of 10 eyes who received only IVR on a pro re nata and group 3 consisted of 15 eyes who received both IVD and IVR. OCT parameters (CMT, number of HRDs, status of external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ)) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared between the groups over the follow-up time. HRDs were categorized as HRD in inner retinal layers (from the internal limiting membrane to the inner nuclear layer) or HRD in outer retinal layers (from the outer plexiform layer to the outer border of the photoreceptor layer).Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of BCVA, CMT, HRDs in the inner and the outer retinal layers at baseline visit. (p˃0.05 for all) Comparing the baseline values in all groups, a significant decrease was observed in CMT in the first year. (For group 1; p=0.013, group 2; p=0.010; group 3, p<0.001) The BCVA was significantly increased after 1 year in all groups. (p=0.001, p=0.006, p<0.001) The mean number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers were significantly decreased in group 1 and group 3. (For group 1; p<0.001, p=0.001, for group 3; p<0.001, p<0.001) However, there was no significant difference in terms of the mean number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers for group 2. (p=0.134, p=0.477) At the first year, the number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers was significantly lower in group 1 and group 3 than group 2. (For inner HRDs; group 1 vs. group 2 p=0.007, group 2 vs. group 3 p<0.001. For outer HRDs group 1 vs. group 2 p<0.001, group 2 vs. group 3 p<0.001.) The BCVA was higher in group 3 than group 2 at 1year. (p=0.048). There was no significant difference in terms of post-treatment CMT and the number of HRDs between group 1 and group3 in posthoc tests (p=0.621, p=0.876, and p=0.632).Conclusion: The reduction in HRDs at 12 months and better BCVA after IVD intimates that the HRDs should be considered as inflammatory markers in the follow-up of CME in BRVO. Thus, IVD injection could be more appropriate for patients with higher HRDs after BRVO.


2019 ◽  
Vol 201 (Supplement 4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mufaddal Mamawala* ◽  
Alexa Meyer ◽  
Patricia Landis ◽  
Katarzyna Macura ◽  
Jonathan Epstein ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Avdeeva ◽  
T Belicheva

Aim. The article deals with establishing the effect of step aerobics and artistic gymnastics on physical performance in first year female university students. Materials and methods. 80 full-time female university students participated in the study. The first group practiced artistic gymnastics (Group 1, n = 40), the second group (Group 2, n = 40) – step aerobics. The mean age was 18.35 ± 0.04 years. In September and December 2017, their physical development, physical fitness, physical performance, respiratory and cardiovascular systems were assessed based on standard procedures using the data of maximum oxygen consumption and the step test. Results. At the beginning of the experiments, there were no statistically significant differences between Group 1 and Group 2. The mean maximum oxygen consumption values corresponded to satisfactory performance (39.85 ± 0.37 – Group 1, 38.92 ± 0.42 – Group 2, р = 0.1). At the end of the experiment, there were statistically significant differences in terms of the mean maximum oxygen consumption: 40.73 ± 0.21 – Group 1 and 41.61 ± 0.21 – Group 2. The results of the ranking showed that the majority of participants demonstrated an increase in physical performance. Group 1 showed an increase in the standing long jump, Group 2 improved 2000 m running time and the standing long jump. Group 2 also demonstrated a decrease in heart rate and an increase in adaptation capacities. Conclusion. The lessons of artistic gymnastics during a semester do not influence significantly physical performance but improve speed-strength characteristics. Step aerobics influences positively physical performance, speed-strength characteristics, and the cardio­vascular system in first-year female university students not related to sport.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 895-901

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a common complication of congenital heart disease (CHD) with uncorrected left-to-right shunts. Currently, no consensus guideline exists on the management of PAH-CHD in children, especially those who do not meet operability criteria. Objective: To compare survival between three groups of high-risk PAH-CHD, group 1: total correction including both surgical and percutaneous intervention, group 2: palliative treatment, and group 3: conservative with medical treatment group. Materials and Methods: All pediatric patients with PAH-CHD that underwent cardiac catheterization between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were high risk PAH-CHD patients who had pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) greater than 6 Wood unit·m² and PVR-to-SVR ratio greater than 0.3 evaluated in room air. Exclusion criteria were younger than three months of age, severe left side heart disease with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure greater than 15 mmHg, obstructive total pulmonary venous return, and single ventricle physiology. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed from the date of PAH diagnosis to the date of all-cause mortality or to censored date at last follow-up. Results: Seventy-six patients with a median age at diagnosis of 27.5 months (IQR 14.5 to 69.0 months) were included in this study. The patients were divided into three subgroups and included 38 patients (50.0%) in group 1, six patients (7.9%) in group 2, and 32 patients (42.1%) in group 3. The median follow-up time was 554 days (IQR 103 to 2,133 days). The overall mortality was 21.7%. One-year survival in patients with simple lesion in group 1 and 3 were 79.5% and 87.5% and patients with complex lesions in group 1, 2, and 3 were 93.8%, 83.3%, and 73.1%, respectively. The results showed that most mortalities occurred in the first year. There were no statistically significant differences in survival among difference types of treatment (log rank test, p=0.522). Conclusion: The mortality of high-risk PAH-CHD patients were not different among those who underwent corrective surgery, palliative, or conservative treatment. The mortality was high in the first year after PAH diagnosis and remain stable afterward. Management decision for an individual with high-risk PAH-CHD patients requires comprehensive clinical assessment to balance the risks and benefits before making individualized clinical judgment. Keywords: Pulmonary hypertension; Congenital heart disease; High-risk patients


Author(s):  
Fatih Akova

Objective: The aim of this study is to present the frenotomy technique in cases of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), which is diagnosed and treated in the first year of life. Patients were operated by a single surgeon. Method: Cases of ankyloglossia operated at Biruni University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Pediatric Surgery Clinic Between 2016-2020 were evaluated retrospectively in terms of clinical complaints, age, type of ankyloglossia, surgical technique, indications and results of surgery. Results: Frenotomy was performed in 56 patients including 47 boys (84%) and 9 girls (16%), between the ages of 0-1. Average age of the patients was 93 days (1-360). Patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 (n: 40: 0-90 days old) and Group 2 (n: 16: 90-360 days old). Patients were admitted with complaints of having difficulty in sucking the mother’s breast, not being able to take their tongue out, feeding with a bottle, pain at the nipple and not being able to grasp the breast. No additional intervention was required for bleeding in Group 1, and in 12 (75%) patients in Group 2 bleeding control was achieved using bipolar cautery. During follow-up, significant improvement was obtained in all patients who had difficulty in sucking and gripping the nipple. Improvement was observed in 15 of 25 patients with nipple pain. Conclusion: Frenotomy is an easily applied surgical procedure with minimal complications. Additional application may be required for bleeding control in infants older than 3 months. It should be considered that the probability of recurrence may depend on the type, intervention used and thickness of the frenulum, and phrenotomy may not be sufficient. The improvement in breast feeding function of Frenotomy may provide a significant improvement in the complaints of nipple pain, and may contribute to the emotional attachment between the mother and her baby. Randomized controlled trials are required to determine the effects of phrenotomy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S949-S949
Author(s):  
Sarah Dorval ◽  
Léna Coïc ◽  
Denis Blais ◽  
Jean-Marie Leclerc ◽  
Caroline Laverdière ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Children undergoing therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at high risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Immunization with conjugated vaccines following chemotherapy is recommended for pediatric patients. In an attempt to provide an earlier protection against invasive pneumococcal infection, we aimed to assess immunity to S. pneumoniae among children vaccinated during chemotherapy for ALL. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the rate of seroprotection among ALL children treated in our institution in accordance with the DFCI ALL Consortium protocol between 2007 and 2014. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) booster was given to all subjects after the end of chemotherapy (groups 1 and 2). In group 2, a PCV dose was also administered during the maintenance phase. Clinical characteristics as well as individual immunization records were collected from our local immunization database. All children were up to date with their vaccination schedule at diagnosis. Serum samples were obtained on a routine follow-up visit, after the end of chemotherapy and after the PCV vaccine booster to measure serotype-specific IgG pneumococcal antibodies. Antibody level ≥0.35µg/mL was considered protective. Patients with seroprotective antibodies level for ≥ 50% of serotypes contained in vaccines were defined as seroprotected. Results 62 children [34 girls (54.8%)] were included in the analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 45 months (range:12–160). At the end of chemotherapy, 34.2% of children in group 1 (13/38) and 79.2% in group 2 (19/24) were seroprotected (P < 0.01). Median interval of time between the end of chemotherapy and the PCV booster vaccination was 6 months (range: 2–64 months). After PCV-13 booster, the rate of seroprotection raised to 100% (38/38) in group 1 and 91.7% in group 2 (22/24). Conclusion Rates of pneumococcal seroprotected children treated for ALL are low at the end of chemotherapy. However, PCV booster during chemotherapy could be useful to increase the level of seroprotection and shorten the period of susceptibility to IPD. After chemotherapy for ALL, children benefit from a PCV booster to enhance seroprotection. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3956-3956
Author(s):  
Murtadha K. Al-Khabori ◽  
Mark Minden ◽  
Vikas Gupta ◽  
Aaron D. Schimmer ◽  
Andre C. Schuh ◽  
...  

Abstract T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) accounts for 14–22% of adult ALL. No prospective comparisons between different chemotherapy protocols have been done. Since 2000 a modified DFCI protocol (Silverman et al, Blood2001;97:121–1218) has been used as standard treatment for all newly diagnosed patients with T-ALL at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). This protocol includes a remission induction phase, a CNS prophylaxis phase with intrathecal chemotherapy and 12 Gy cranial irradiation, a 30-week intensification phase including weekly asparaginase, and a 72-week maintenance phase. We compared outcomes using this regimen to previous results for all newly diagnosed T-ALL from 1990 – 2000 at PMH using the standard institutional protocol in use at the time. Between 1990–2000, 44 patients (Group 1) were treated with a variety of protocols, including 9203ALL PMH protocol (11 patients), L10 (2 pts), Protocol C (7 pts), HyperCVAD (15 pts) and ECOG E2993 (9 pts). From 2000–2007, 33 T-ALL patients were treated with modified DFCI protocol (Group 2). The median age for all patients was 31 years (range 14–69 years). There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to age at diagnosis, presenting WBC (median or percent &gt; 100 ×109/L), CSF positivity, or cytogenetics. More patients from Group 1 underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation (BMT) in CR-1 (54%) as compared to those in Group 2 (54% vs. 14%, P = 0.001), primarily due to a change in BMT policy in 2002. The median follow up was 23 months (range 1–161 months) for the entire group and 53 months (range 14–161 months) for the surviving patients. Sixty-nine patients (90%) achieved complete remission, and 37 patients have relapsed. The CR rates were not significantly different between the two groups. The 3-year failure-free survival (FFS) was significantly higher in Group 2 (DFCI protocol) as compared with Group 1 (other protocols) (89% vs. 27%, P = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard model showed only the treatment regimen received (DFCI vs. others) to have a statistically significant impact on FFS (P = 0.0001). The 3-year overall survival (OS) was significantly higher in the DFCI group compared to the group receiving the other protocols (81% vs. 45%, P = 0.0006). On multivariate analysis, only the treatment regimen received (P=0.001) and the CSF status (P=0.014) had a significant impact on OS; BMT did not have a significant impact on OS. When patients were censored at the time of transplant, the FFS and OS analyses still showed statistically significant benefit for patients treated on DFCI protocol (P = 0.0001 and 0.03, respectively). In summary, treatment outcomes have markedly improved from 2000 onward as compared to the previous decade. Although improvements in supportive care and reduced use of allogeneic BMT may have been factors, it is likely that the institution of the DFCI pediatric protocol was the primary factor in the improved outcome. These results support the use of such pediatric asparaginase-intensive pediatric protocols for adult T-ALL.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 4817-4817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veselka Nikolova ◽  
Velizar Shivarov ◽  
Ricardo Morilla

Abstract Abstract 4817 T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) patients have increased risk for treatment resistance and early relapse. The precise bone marrow evaluation for the presence of minimal residual disease (MRD) is essential for guiding treatment options. This requires techniques more sensitive than the level of sensitivity of light microscopic technique such as multicolour flow cytometry (FCM). Immunophenotypic alterations called leukemia associated immunophenotypic patterns (LAIP) (i.e.aberrant myeloid markers) and ectopic phenotypic expression (i.e. appearance of immature phenotypes such as TdT, CD1a and CD3 outside their normal site in the thymus) are of benefit to track the residual leukemic cells in T-ALL. A retrospective data analysis of MRD was done comprising T-ALL patients diagnosed and followed-up at the Institute of Cancer Research/Royal Marsden Hospital by means of 3-colour flow cytometry (3C FCM).The aim was to answer a question whether the 3C FCM can reliably split patients into two groups (positive, MRD+ and negative, MRD-) and predict a subsequent relapse and to define a right time point for performing MRD tests. Eight patients were enrolled in the study following the inclusion criteria: (i) complete remission after 1st induction phase of chemotherapy, (ii) presence of LAIP or an ectopic phenotypic expression, and (iii) monitored at defined time points after initial treatment. MRD was measured during the first year of treatment as follows: at the end of phase 1 induction (day 29–35, MRD1), before the start of consolidation (3 months, MRD2), after consolidation (MRD3), during the maintenance therapy (12 months, MRD4). Immunophenotyping was performed on lysed-washed bone marrow samples using CD45 gating strategy and originally defined blast gates at diagnosis. The phenotypes to be followed-up included: TdT+/CytCD3+, CD34+/CYTCD3+, TdT+/CD2+, CD8+/CD10+, CD2+/CD10+, CD7+/CD10+, CD7+/CD33+, CD7+CD34+. Patients were divided into 2 groups in relation to subsequent relapse. Group 1 included 6 patients without relapse. Patient characteristics of the group were: male:female 5:1, mean age 17.7 years, overall survival (OS) 59 months, relapse free survival (RFS) 85 months. Group 2, relapsed patients, included 2 men, mean age 56 years, OS 13 months, RFS 8.5 months. According to the EGIL classification system the 2 men in Group 2 were with an early T-precursor phenotype, whilst Group 1 was heterogenous but cortical-T-ALL predominated. Cytogenetics/FISH and RQ-PCR studies were performed at diagnosis and showed normal karyotype in only one of the Group 2 patients. MRD results showed a difference between the two groups as regards MRD1 and MRD2 time points. Group 1 patients had negative or low MRD levels (below 0.18%) in their MRD1 bone marrow - MRD-, n=4 and MRD+,n=2 (0.18% and 0.12% respectively, sensitivity 0.04%). Those of them who were tested at MRD2 and MRD3 were negative. Both patients in Group 2 showed higher levels of MRD positivity at MRD1 (1% of total bone marrow cells), the first one of them also being positive at MRD2 and the second one becoming MRD+ at MRD4 time point. Although turning to MRD- at MRD3 time point both Group 2 patients relapsed 2.5 and 4.5 months, respectively, after the end of consolidation treatment. Additionally, Group 1 patients had a significantly longer RFS than Group 2 (median 58 months RFS vs. 8.5 months; P <0.001). Conclusions: Reliable detection of MRD in T-ALL is possible by 3C FCM using a combination of TdT and a T cell marker (cytCD3 or mCD3) as such a combination is normally found exclusively in the thymus. The higher MRD-positive levels in Group 2 reflect the more resistant disease in this group and higher probability of early relapse and shortened overall survival. Early T-cell precursor phenotype in these patients appeared to be a subtype at very high risk for treatment failure irrespective of the lack or the presence of genetic lesions. Based on MRD positivity above 0.18% at time points MRD1 or both MRD1 and MRD2 these patients need reassessment of treatment options and more intensive therapy has to be considered for relapse prevention. Finally, the results of our retrospective study suggest the usefulness of implementation of MRD testing by FCM for taking clinical decisions in the prospective clinical trials for novel therapies for T-ALL. Acknowledgments: The study was supported by the Union for International Cancer Control, Geneva, Switzerland (Grant ICRETT-080–2011) Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4994-4994
Author(s):  
Nicholas John Kelleher ◽  
David Gallardo ◽  
Salut Brunet ◽  
Pau Montesinos ◽  
Josep-Maria Ribera ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Therapy related acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a subset of secondary acute lymphoblastic leukemia has been estimated as accounting for between 1.2 and 6.9% of all adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases. It has been associated with an increased frequency of high risk cytogenetic alterations and with worse clinical outcomes. It has been suggested these patients should be included in high risk treatment protocols. Method In order to evaluate these characteristics in a group of similar patients we contacted centres working within the PETHEMA group to request data on patients diagnosed with ALL asking for clinical information including the presence or absence of previous neoplasia and of previous cytotoxic therapy along with treatment responses and survival data. Results We received information on 429 patients of whom 22 had received cytotoxic therapy for a prior neoplasm.Patients were divided into group 1 with prior cytotoxic therapy, group 2 with prior neoplasia without cytotoxic therapy and group 3 de novo ALL. We found patients in group 3 to be younger than the other two groups Group 1( 55 years) Group 2 (65 years) Group 3 (34 years) (p=0.001). No statistically significant difference was shown for white cell count, cytopenias, CNS involvement, LDH or for B versus T immunophenotype. Nor did our series show a significant difference in the frequencies of high risk cytogenetics between the groups. Figures for complete remission [Group 1- 13 (93%); Group 2- 6 (75%); Group 3-346 (85%) p=0.477] were higher in group 1 therapy related ALL compared with de novo patients without reaching clinical significance. Nor was a statistically significant difference shown for 3 year overall survival [Group 1 (80%); Group 2 (38%); Group 3 (47%) p=0.151] , 3 year event free survival [Group 1 (67%); Group 2 (38%); Group 3 (42%) p=0.24] or for complete remission duration [Group 1 (75%);Group 2 (50%); Group 3 (60%) p=0.462] Conclusion Apart from age, our series did not show an increase in poor risk clinical or cytogenetic features in therapy related ALL patients compared with de novo disease cases and nor was clinical outcome demonstrated to be worse. This would suggest that risk stratification should be carried out using currently recognized parameters without specifically taking into account the status of therapy related disease. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 2494-2494
Author(s):  
Myriam Ruth Guitter ◽  
Jorge Gabriel Rossi ◽  
Elisa Sajaroff ◽  
Carolina Carrara ◽  
Pizzi Silvia ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Despite the advances observed in the outcome of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment during the last 20 years, relapse remains the most common cause of treatment failure in childhood ALL. Several factors have been associated to the prognosis of these patients; however, minimal residual disease (MRD) emerges as a relevant predictor of outcome. Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess MRD by flow-cytometry in relapsed ALL and to evaluate its prognostic impact as a predictor factor of outcome at the end of the induction therapy and prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients and Methods: From Aug'10 to Jun'15, 123 ALL patients were treated at our center. MRD determination at least at two time-points during relapse treatment was a requirement for considering a patient eligible for the present study. Sixty-six cases were excluded due to the following causes: 10 patients died during induction, 2 died early in complete remission (CR), 29 did not respond to chemotherapy, in 13 patients MRD determination was not performed: 4 did not have clinical data available, 4 patients were Down Syndrome and 4 children received treatment for relapse in other centers. Thus, fifty-seven patients achieved CR and were evaluated for MRD at two time points. Of them, 56 patients belonged to S4 and S3 and 1 patient to S1 group as defined by the Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster stratification for relapsed ALL. MRD was analyzed by multiparametric flow-cytometry following ALL-IC 2009 guidelines. Negative MRD was defined as disclosing less than 0.1% of blasts. For this analysis, patients were stratified based on MRD levels at two different time points: after end of induction, before HSCT or at any other time point during the follow-up for patients who did not undergo HSCT. Three groups were defined: Group-1: negative at both time points (n= 23), Group-2: positive at 1 time point (n= 13) and Group-3: positive at both time points (n= 21). Patients who relapsed before receiving HSCT were considered Group-3. Twenty-five patients underwent HSCT: 13 of them from Group-1, 9 from Group-2 (2 had positive MRD previous to receive HSCT) and 3 patients from Group-3. HSCT was performed with matched familiar donor in 16 cases and matched unrelated donor in 9 cases. Results: The distribution of events according to receiving or not HSCT was: 5 died due to transplant related mortality (TRM), 9 relapsed after receiving HSCT and 16 during treatment with chemotherapy. With a median follow-up of 16 (range: 6-67) months, overall 3-year EFS probability (EFSp) (SE) was 32 (8)%. The 3-year EFSp was 75 (11)% for Group-1, 24 (14)% for Group-2 and 0% for Group-3 (p-value <0.00001). Comparing patients who did not receive HSCT vs. patients who did, EFSp (SE) was 32 (12)% and 29 (11)% respectively (p-value: non-significant). The EFSp (SE) according to MRD groups in patients who underwent HSCT was: Group-1: 53 (19)%, Group-2: 14 (13)% and 0% for Group-3 (p-value: 0.06). Conclusions: MRD quantification by flow-cytometry demonstrated to be a significant prognostic factor for relapsed ALL. Both, TRM and death in CR rates, were high and should be decreased by improving supportive measures. MRD determination by flow-cytometry in patients who underwent HSCT showed a trend to achieve a better EFSp, thus representing a relevant tool for stratifying relapsed ALL patients in order to achieve a better selection of patients to receive HSCT. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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