scholarly journals ATRA Availability on Formulary for the Treatment of APL Across Hospitals in the State of Georgia

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4924-4924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Wheeler ◽  
Harika Puttagunta ◽  
Minal Surati ◽  
Elyse Panjic ◽  
Arpita Shah ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) represents a medical emergency that's associated with a high rate of early mortality primarily due to bleeding from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Initiation of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) leads to rapid resolution of DIC. As such, it is recommended that ATRA be started at the first suspicion of APL even if the diagnosis is not confirmed. Patients should also receive supportive care with platelets, cryoprecipitate, and fresh frozen plasma as indicated until resolution of coagulopathy. Early mortality in APL continues to be a challenge that hinders outcomes when patients are managed at community and academic leukemia centers as compared to those managed on clinical trials. It has been suggested that the unavailability of ATRA on formulary in some leukemia treating centers might be one of the reasons contributing to the high induction mortality in APL. We designed this study to identify the availability of ATRA in hospitals in the state of Georgia. In addition information was obtained on the availability of blood bank support across the state. Methods: The Medicare hospital database was utilized (accessed online from data.medicare.gov) to identify all hospitals within the state of Georgia registered with Medicare. A total of 135 hospitals were identified. One hospital was excluded since it recently closed. The remaining 134 hospitals were contacted by telephone and a brief survey of seven questions was conducted (Table 1) with a member of the hospital pharmacy staff, and if needed additional hospital staff including physicians practicing at that site were contacted. Results: Of the 134 evaluable hospitals, 114 hospitals did not treat patients with leukemia. Patients with a suspected diagnosis of leukemia (including APL) are expeditiously transferred to a larger center. A total of 18 (13%) hospitals had ATRA in stock at the time of the survey including one center which does not routinely treat patients with leukemia. 20/134 hospitals treat leukemia patients including three hospitals that treat selected diagnoses only and usually transfer APL patients to a larger center. 17/20 (85%) of the leukemia treating hospitals maintain ATRA on formulary. The three hospitals that do not have ATRA on formulary have operating procedures in place to procure it within a day. The same three hospitals are also the ones that tend to transfer APL patients to a larger center. 103/134 (80%) hospitals in the state had blood bank support and three additional hospitals had arrangements to obtain blood from a nearby blood bank. The 20 hospitals that regularly treat leukemia had full service blood banks that had the capability of meeting the transfusion requirements of APL. Conclusion: Most hospitals in the state of Georgia do not routinely treat acute leukemia patients. Only 1/114one of the 114 centers that do not treat leukemia patients had ATRA on formulary. ATRA and blood bank support are readily available in majority of the centers that treat leukemia patients in the state of Georgia and lack of ATRA availability is unlikely to be a contributing factor to early deaths in these centers. Table 1. Telephone Survey Is ATRA on the hospital's formulary? If no to question 1, could ATRA be ordered if needed and if so, how quickly would it be delivered? Is ATRA currently in stock? Is there a hematologist on staff? Are acute leukemia patients treated at the hospital? Is there a blood bank on site? Disclosures Jillella: Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding. Kota:Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Punjab has emerged as an important rice-producing state in the country. The state with 1.53 percent of the geographical area of the country produces more than 11 percent of total rice production in the country. The production of rice in Punjab increased more than 10 times due to an increase in area and yield. The growth of a rice crop at such a high rate over 20 years in Punjab is indeed a rare phenomenon in the history of agricultural development in the world. Due to extensive cultivation of rice in Punjab, the state has been over-exploiting the groundwater, more than its recharge. Most of the tube-well dominated districts of the state, witnessed the fall in water table more than 20 to 30 cm per year. To dispose of the paddy straw, the farmers of Punjab generally opt for burning it. This practice of burning of paddy straw besides nutrient loss is posing a serious problem for the public health and transportation system. Rice has now become a problematic crop for Punjab state due to its ill effects on its natural resources, that is, the water and soil environmental degradation. The Punjab Agricultural University experts and other committees estimated that the total groundwater recharge from all sources can sustain/support only 16-17 lakh ha of paddy in Punjab. The area under the crop increased to 29 lakh ha which was unsustainable in the long run. The area under rice in Punjab should be stabilized at 16-17 lakh ha and the remaining paddy area should be shifted to other crops like pulses, oilseeds, maize, fruits, and vegetables, etc. requiringless water, to achieve proper water balance. Thus diversification of some area from paddy is in the interest of Punjab farmers, State government and the Central government for long term food security on a sustainable basis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Dhiu ◽  
Ardli Johan Kusuma

ABSTRACTThe Existance of Indonesian Workers in the Middle East, is very beneficial in terms of foreign exchange earnings. Despite the high rate of remittances generated, the Indonesian government must also implement a moratorium on migrant workers sending policies to the Middle East in 2015, which is feared that this could cause a reduction in the amount of remittances, secifically for the Middle East region. Here, the writer will discuss in dept why the government should carry out the moratorium policy of migrant workers to the Middle East in 2015, while the gorvernment  also know that the existance of the overseas migrant workers woud benefit economically. The writer see that, as the main actor, the state is obliged to provide protection for all its citizens whwrever they are.Keywords: Indonesia Workers, Moratorium, National Interest, Protecting Citizens. ABSTRAKKeberadaan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia di Timur Tengah, sangatlah menguntungkan dalam hal pendapatan devisa. Dibalik tingginya angka remitansi yang dihasilkan, namun pemerintah Indonesia juga harus menerapkan kebijakan moratorium pengiriman TKI ke Timur Tengah Tahun 2015, yang mana kebijakan tersebut dikhawatirkan dapat menyebabkan penurunan jumlah remitansi, secara khusus untuk kawasan Timur Tengah. Di sini, penulis akan membahas secara mendalam mengapa pemerintah harus melakukan kebijakan moratorius TKI ke Timur tengah Tahun 2015, sedangkan pemerintah juga tahu bahwa keberadaan TKI luar negeri tentu memberi keuntungan secara ekonomi. Penulis menggunakan sudut pandang realisme, dengan memakai teori kepentingan nasional, sehingga akan dibahas secara  mendalam terkait permasalahan yang ada. Dalam penelitian tersebut, penulis melihat bahwa, sebagai aktor utama, negara wajib memberikan perlindungan bagi seluruh warga negaranya di mana pun berada.Kata Kunci: Tenaga Kerja Indonesia, Moratorium, Kepentingan Nasional, Melindungi Warga Negara.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1545-1545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thierry Lamy ◽  
Cedric Pastoret ◽  
Roch Houot ◽  
Loic Ysebaert ◽  
Mathilde Hunault ◽  
...  

Introduction Large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia is characterized by a clonal expansion of CD3+ cytotoxic T or CD3- NK cells. Prominent clinical features include neutropenia, anemia and autoimmune-associated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the disease is usually chronic and indolent, some patients may be symptomatic and require treatment. No standard therapy has been established due to the absence of prospective clinical trials. So far, low dose methotrexate, oral cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporine represent the 3 main options for initial therapy. In 2014, we launched a prospective clinical trial comparing methotrexate to cyclophosphamide in previously-untreated patients with LGL leukemia in need of treatment. Patients and methods The study was designed as a multicentric, national, open label, randomized, controlled trial on two parallel groups, comparing methotrexate and cyclophosphamide. Patients were included if they had at least one of the following indications of treatment: isolated severe neutropenia (ANC <0.5x109/L) or neutropenia (ANC <1.5x109/L) with infections, anemia requiring transfusions or symptomatic anemia, associated complications such as systemic diseases or auto-immune diseases resistant to steroids and/or immunomodulating agents (colchicin, disulone, hydrochloroquine). They were randomly assigned to receive either methotrexate (10 mg/m²/w) or cyclophosphamide (100 mg/d) for 4 months. Responders at M4 continued with the same treatment until M12 (cyclophosphamide was then delivered at 50 mg/d). Non-responders at M4 were randomly assigned to receive either cyclosporine (3 mg/kg/d) or the drug which had not been administered at the first randomization (methotrexate or cyclophosphamide). Response was assessed using previously published criteria (Lamy T, Blood 123:1182, 2014). Complete response (CR) was defined as a normalization of clinical exam (disappearance of splenomegaly or associated autoimmune symptoms) and a complete normalization of blood counts. Partial response (PR) was defined as an improvement in blood counts which did not meet criteria for complete remission (e.g., ANC >0.5x109/L or decrease of transfusion requirements). Treatment failure was defined as no response or any response which did not meet the above-mentioned criteria within four months after the beginning of treatment. To stop the trial as soon as sufficient information was collected, a sequential analysis was planned each time 20 patients were included and evaluated using the triangular test (Sébille V, Bellissant E. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2003;17(5):505-16). The primary endpoint was the hematological CR rate evaluated at M4 (binary endpoint). Secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR) at M4, M8 and M12, time to relapse. For non-responders at M4, cyclosporine was compared to the treatment which had not been administered during the first phase. Results From Nov 2013 to July 2019, 99 patients met inclusion criteria among which 96 were randomized. The baseline characteristics of these patients are shown in Table1. STAT3 mutation was observed 52% of cases. After the 4th sequential analysis performed on the first 80 patients evaluable for response at M4, the sample path remained in the continuation region of the triangular test. Thus, the trial has to be continued. At M4, 13 patients were in CR (16.3%) and 29 patients were in PR (36.3%), ORR was 52.6%, 36 patients were considered as refractory and underwent a second randomization: 18 patients received cyclosporine and 17 received methotrexate or cyclophosphamide. Conclusions This first prospective randomized clinical trial in LGL leukemia shows that the CR after first line therapy using either methotrexate or cyclophosphamide is relatively low (< 20%). Recruitment is still ongoing to assess if there is a difference in terms of response between the two drugs. Predictive biomarkers of response will be presented at the meeting. Regarding a 52% of incidence of Stat3 mutation (higher than that previously published), Jak/Stat targeted therapy should be prospectively evaluated in this disease. Disclosures Houot: Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Merck Sharp Dohme: Honoraria. Gyan:Pfizer: Honoraria. Feugier:janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; abbvie: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; gilead: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; roche: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.


Blood ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 130 (Suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 652-652
Author(s):  
Cédric Rossi ◽  
Julia Gilhodes ◽  
Marie Maerevoet ◽  
Charles Herbaux ◽  
Pauline Brice ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) pts who relapse after high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and brentuximab vedotin (BV) therapy have a poor outcome. For these relapsed and refractory (R/R) HL pts, anti-PD-1 therapy gives a high rate of objective responses. However, the rate of complete response (CR) remains modest and in the updated results of anti-PD-1 therapy clinical trials, about 50% of pts are still without progressive disease after one year of treatment. As anti-PD-1 therapy modifies the anticancer immune response, we hypothesize that anti-PD-1 therapy may increase sensitivity to chemotherapy (CT) given after anti-PD-1 therapy (sequential strategy) or in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy after an unsatisfactory response to immunotherapy (concomitant strategy). We retrospectively analyzed these two clinical situations in 30 R/R HL pts from LYSA centers treated with anti-PD-1 therapy. Methods: We included R/R HL pts from 14 LYSA centers who received anti-PD-1 therapy in the context of clinical trials (N=4) or an authorization for temporary use (ATU) from the French medical drug agency (N=26). Before the anti-PD-1 therapy, pts had received a median of six (range, 2-14) lines of therapy, 69% had HDT+ASCT, 14% had allograft and 93% had been treated with BV. We considered two groups of pts: i. 19 pts (63%) in whom the anti-PD-1 therapy was stopped at the introduction of CT (Group 1); ii. 11 pts (37%) with an unsatisfactory response to anti-PD-1 therapy in whom a combination of CT with immunotherapy was initiated to optimize the response (Group 2). The quality of the response after the introduction of CT was evaluated retrospectively by each treating physicians according to Cheson 2007 or 2014 criteria. We also determined whether new CT treatments after and in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy led to unexpected toxicities and whether new treatment schedules made pts eligible for allograft. Results: At the start of anti-PD-1, the median age of pts was 37 years old (range, 20-75), 24% had Ann Arbor III/IV stages, 34% had B symptoms and 21% had a performance status (PS) of 2-3. Patients received a median of 10 infusions (range, 2-52) of anti-PD-1 therapy with nivolumab (N=26, 87%) or pembrolizumab (N=4, 13%). The best responses achieved during anti-PD-1 therapy were a complete response (CR) for 5 patients, a partial response (PR) for 17 pts, stable disease (SD) for 2 pts and progression for 6 pts. In group 1, 17 pts were in progression, one pt in PR, and another pt in SD at the end of anti-PD-1 therapy alone. In group 1, after anti-PD-1 therapy, the pts were treated with vinblastine (N=3), gemcitabine (N=2) or bendamustine alone (N=3) or in combination with BV (N=4), GVD (N=1), ICE (N=1), DHAP (N=1), escalated BEACOPP (N=1), vinorelbine (N=1), vepeside (N=1) and caelyx (N=1). In group 2, before the combination, the response status was progression for 7 pts and PR for 4 pts. In group 2, to optimize the response to anti-PD-1, pts received vinblastine (N=7), gemcitabine (N=2) and BV (N=2). In the 28 evaluable pts, 11/18 (61%) in group 1 and 9/10 (90%) in group 2 showed an improved response after chemotherapy alone or combination with anti-PD-1 therapy respectively. In group 1, there were 6 CR (32%), 5 PR (26%), 1 SD (5%) and 6 PD (32%) (Figure 1B). In group 2, there were 5 CR (45%), 5 PR (45%) and 1 SD (10%) (Figure 1A). Of note, among the ten pts treated with vinblastine, 4 were in CR, 3 in RP, 1 in SD and 2 in progression. No unexpected toxicity was observed during the CT. Four pts had an allograft after the sequential CT (N=3) and concomitant CT strategy (N=1). Three pts were in CR 274, 279 and 480 days after the allograft and the fourth has not yet been evaluated. Allografts are now scheduled for 6 pts. With a median follow-up of 9.1 months (95%CI, 6.1-14) following the initiation of chemotherapy (alone or combined) the median PFS and OS were 8.4 and 14.6 months, respectively. Conclusions: Our retrospective study showed that pts with an unsatisfactory response or PD with anti-PD-1 therapy had a new objective response with CT alone (61%) or CT in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy (90%). This response could make some pts eligible for allograft. Prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm the synergistic effect of CT with anti-PD-1 therapy and to determine which CT provides the best results in combination with these checkpoint inhibitors. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Ysebaert: Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Ghesquières: Celgene and Mundipharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
Rachael Jones ◽  
Petra Muus ◽  
Talha Munir ◽  
Alexandra Pike ◽  
Louise Arnold ◽  
...  

Background Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare acquired disorder characterised by intravascular hemolysis and thrombosis. Patients with symptomatic PNH are commenced on the complement inhibitor eculizumab (600mg weekly for 5 weeks then 900mg 2 weekly). This monoclonal antibody targets C5 in the complement cascade, halting terminal complement activation thus inhibiting intravascular hemolysis. In some patients intravascular hemolysis is not adequately controlled on the standard regimen. Patient symptoms, transfusion requirements and raised Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are indicators for suboptimal control of PNH and review of eculizumab dosing. The 50% hemolytic complement (CH50) test is a functional assay assessing capability of serum complement components of the classical pathway to lyse sheep red blood cells pre-coated with rabbit anti-sheep red blood cell antibody. Patients with complement inhibited PNH should demonstrate absent lysis. As the test is expensive and difficult to organise, we tested if incomplete complete blockade as determined by CH50 activity would be better to confirm under-dosing than LDH value. Methods The Leeds (UK) PNH National Service reviewed patients who underwent CH50 assay between January 2015 and March 2020. All patients were on eculizumab with clinical concerns regarding suboptimal control of PNH. Patients receive eculizumab infusions intravenously every 14 days and routine follow up from the PNH Service. Serum samples were obtained 24 hours prior to infusions for CH50 assay; LDH values were routinely collected. Complete complement blockade was defined by <10% CH50 activity; intravascular hemolysis was indicated by LDH value >1.5x upper limit of normal (ULN). Confidence intervals were set at 95% and significance set at p<0.05. Results In the study period, 327 tests (median 2, range 1 - 8) were carried out in 146 patients (median age 54 years, range 16 - 89; 74 female). 81% (265) were successful; 19% (62) were unsuccessful due to processing errors. Of the successful tests, 74% (197 in 127 patients) indicated complete complement blockade and 26% (68 in 38 patients) indicated incomplete blockade. Of the patients with incomplete blockade, 68% (26) demonstrated complete blockade on repeat testing and 32% (12) had their eculizumab dose increased. Clinical symptoms of under-dosing in the 12 patients requiring a dose increase included increased transfusion requirements and/or breakthrough hemolysis (7), pregnancy (2; both returned to 900mg post pregnancy) and significant lethargy (3). Of the patients requiring a dose increase, 3 were on 1200mg before 2015; their dose was increased to 1500mg. Repeat testing was carried out in 10/12 patients after dose increase; 8 indicated complete blockade; 2 patients were incompletely blocked at 1200mg and received a further dose increase to 1500mg. Further testing indicated complete blockade in 1 patient; 1 required a 3rd dose increase to 1800mg due to incomplete blockade and ongoing transfusion requirement. Corresponding LDH values were analysed; median LDH for the complete blockade group was 1.16xULN (range 0.54 - 2.16) and 1.28xULN (range 0.76 - 2.38) for the incomplete blockade group. LDH values were not significantly higher in the incomplete blockade group compared to the complete blockade group, p=0.08. There was no significant difference in LDH values pre- and post-dose increase, p=0.38 (Figure 1); median pre-dose increase LDH 1.14xULN; median post-dose increase LDH 1.13xULN. Correlation coefficient shows that CH50 activity was positively correlated with LDH value, r(123)=0.18, p=0.04. Conclusion We report the effective utilisation of CH50 analysis where there is clinical concern of suboptimal control of PNH. All patients demonstrating hemolytic activity on CH50 assays indicated subsequent complement blockade following increase of eculizumab dose. Increasing eculizumab is costly requiring robust evidence of suboptimal complement inhibition; a positive correlation between CH50 activity and LDH values was shown however this is not sufficient to guide clinical decisions. LDH values of the incomplete blockade group were not significantly higher than those with complete blockade, suggesting the use of LDH values as an assessment of complement inhibition in patients with ongoing symptoms or transfusion requirements is not sufficient to guide eculizumab dose increases. Disclosures Munir: Alexion: Honoraria; F. Hoffmann-La Roche: Consultancy, Other: Medical writing support, furnished by Scott Battle, PhD, of Health Interactions, was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland. Pike:Apellis: Research Funding. Arnold:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria. Hillmen:AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Acerta: Other: Financial or material support; Roche: Consultancy, Other: Financial or material support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Financial or material support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Pharmacyclics: Other: Financial or material support, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Financial or material support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Apellis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Gilead: Other: Financial or material support, Research Funding. Griffin:Alexion Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria, Other: Conference Support; Biocryst: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4496-4496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Eastburg ◽  
David A. Russler-Germain ◽  
Ramzi Abboud ◽  
Peter Westervelt ◽  
John F. DiPersio ◽  
...  

The use of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in the context of haploidentical stem cell transplant (haplo-SCT) has led to drastically reduced rates of Graft-vs-Host (GvH) disease through selective depletion of highly allo-reactive donor T-cells. Early trials utilized a reduced-intensity Flu/Cy/TBI preparative regimen and bone marrow grafts; however, relapse rates remained relatively high (Luznik et al. BBMT. 2008). This led to the increased use of myeloablative (MA) regimens for haplo-SCT, which have been associated with decreased relapse rates (Bashey et al. J Clin Oncol. 2013). Most studies have used a MA total body irradiation (TBI) based regimen for haplo-SCT. Preparative regimens using fludarabine and melphalan (FluMel), with or without thiotepa, ATG, and/or low dose TBI have also been reported using bone marrow grafts. Reports on the safety and toxicity of FluMel in the haplo-SCT setting with PTCy and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) grafts are lacking. In this two-center retrospective analysis, the safety/toxicity of FluMel as conditioning for haplo-SCT was evaluated. We report increased early mortality and toxicity using standard FluMel conditioning and PBSC grafts for patients undergoing haplo-SCT with PTCy. 38 patients at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Washington University School of Medicine underwent haplo-SCT with FluMel conditioning and PBSC grafts between 2015-2019. Outcomes were measured by retrospective chart review through July 2019. 34 patients (89.5%) received FluMel(140 mg/m2). Two patients received FluMel(100 mg/m2) and two patients received FluMel(140 mg/m2) + ATG. The median age at time of haplo-SCT was 60 years (range 21-73). 20 patients were transplanted for AML, eight for MDS, two for PMF, two for NHL, and five for other malignancies. The median Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation-specific Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI) score was 4 (≥3 indicates high risk). 11 patients had a history of prior stem cell transplant, and 16 patients had active disease prior to their haplo-SCT. Seven patients had sex mismatch with their stem cell donor. Median donor age was 42 (range 21-71). 20 patient deaths occurred by July 2019 with a median follow up of 244 days for surviving patients. Nine patients died before day +100 (D100, "early mortality"), with a D100 non-relapse mortality (NRM) rate of 24%. Median overall and relapse free survival (OS and RFS, respectively) were 197 days (95% CI 142-not reached) and 180 days (95% CI 141-not reached), respectively, for the entire cohort. The 1 year OS and NRM were 29% and 50%. The incidence of grades 2-4cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was 66%, and 52% of these patients were treated with tocilizumab. CRS was strongly associated with early mortality, with D100 NRM of 36% in patients with grade 2-4 CRS compared to 0% in those with grade 0-1. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) was 64% in patients with grade 2-4 CRS, and 8% in those without (p < 0.001). 28% of patients with AKI required dialysis. Grade 2-4 CRS was seen in 54% of patients in remission prior to haplo-SCT and in 92% of those with active disease (p = 0.02). Of the 9 patients with early mortality, 89% had AKI, 44% needed dialysis, and 100% had grade 2-4 CRS, compared to 31%, 10%, and 55% in those without early mortality (p = 0.002, p = 0.02, p = 0.01). Early mortality was not significantly associated with age, HCT-CI score, second transplant, disease status at transplant, total dose of melphalan, volume overload/diuretic use, or post-transplant infection. In conclusion, we observed a very high rate of NRM with FluMel conditioning and PBSC grafts for haplo-SCT with PTCy. The pattern of toxicity was strongly associated with grade 2-4 CRS, AKI, and need for dialysis. These complications may be mediated by excessive inflammation in the context of allo-reactive donor T-cell over-activation. Consistent with this, multiple groups have shown that FluMel conditioning in haplo-SCT is safe when using bone marrow or T-cell depleted grafts. Based on our institutional experiences, we would discourage the use of FluMel as conditioning for haplo-SCT with PTCy with T-cell replete PBSC grafts. Alternative regimens or variations on melphalan-based regimens, such as fractionated melphalan dosing or inclusion of TBI may improve outcomes but further study and randomized controlled trials are needed. This study is limited in its retrospective design and sample size. Figure Disclosures DiPersio: WUGEN: Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy; Magenta Therapeutics: Equity Ownership; Celgene: Consultancy; Cellworks Group, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; NeoImmune Tech: Research Funding; Amphivena Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bioline Rx: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Macrogenics: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; RiverVest Venture Partners Arch Oncology: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Liesveld:Onconova: Other: Data safety monitoring board; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4844-4844
Author(s):  
Maha A Badawi ◽  
Linda M Vickars ◽  
Jocelyn M Chase ◽  
Heather A Leitch

Abstract Abstract 4844 Background Iron chelation therapy (ICT) is often used to treat iron overload (IOL) in patients (pts) requiring transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) for chronic anemia. In myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), guidelines recommend consideration of ICT in pts with lower risk International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and IOL as defined by a ferritin level >1000 ug/l; IOL related organ dysfunction; or receipt of ≥20 RBC units. During treatment of a pt with MDS and IOL with ICT, RBC transfusion requirement (TR) ceased. Here we report his course and review reported cases of RBC transfusion independence (TI) or decreased RBC TR in MDS pts receiving ICT. Methods The pt chart was reviewed and reported cases identified by PubMed search using the terms ‘MDS’ and ‘iron chelation’. The clinical characteristics and course of published cases were summarized. Case A 76 year (y) old man was referred in May 2004 for management of MDS diagnosed in 1997, when the white blood cell (WBC) count was 2.4 ×109/l; neutrophils, 0.7 ×109/l; hemoglobin (Hb), 133 g/l; platelets, 108 ×109/l. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed refractory anemia (RA), karyotype analysis 46,X,-Y,+8, and the IPSS score was intermediate-1. The erythropoitin (epo) level was 148.3 mIU/ml and the stem cell assay showed no epo-independent colony growth. In 2004 the Hb dropped to 60 g/l prompting the initiation of RBC transfusion support. He required 3 RBC units every 4 weeks to maintain a Hb >90 g/l and complained of fatigue and functional limitation. Creatinine, bilirubin, TSH, reticulocyte count, B12 and folate levels were all normal. The ferritin level in 2004 was 1293 ug/l and 2197 ug/l in 2006. He declined ICT with deferoxamine (DFO) but in 2006 accepted deferasirox (DFX). He required several dose interruptions and adjustments for renal insufficiency; the current dose is 5mg/kg/d with a normal creatinine. Two months (mo) after starting ICT, the Hb increased spontaneously to 109 g/l and he has not required RBC transfusion since. The mean Hb since starting ICT was 122 g/l and the ferritin decreased to 1082 ug/l in 2009. The most recent neutrophil count was 3.5 ×109/l, platelets consistently clump and the MCV is unchanged at 120 fl. He reports excellent energy and an improved quality of life, and has remained clinically well and RBC transfusion independent to the present, 36 mo from the initiation of ICT. Literature review There are 18 published cases of MDS showing improvement in Hb with ICT; 9 became RBC transfusion independent. Characteristics of the 10 TI pts were: median age at MDS diagnosis 58 (range 18-74) y; male, n=5. MDS subtype: RA, n=5; RARS, n=2, RCMD, n=1; RAEB, n=2. IPSS (reported in 8): low, n=1; int-1, n=5; int-1 or 2, n=1; high, n=1. ICT was: DFO, n=7; DFX, n=3. Median time to RBC TI was 17.5 (1-24) mo and TI duration 13 (3-28) mo to date. Of pts who had decreased RBC transfusion requirements with ICT but did not achieve transfusion independence: median age (reported in 3) was 67 (45-78) y; gender (reported in 3) female, n=3; MDS subtype: RA, n=8; RAEB-t, n=1; IPSS: int-1, n=3; ICT: DFO, n=8; DFX, n=1. Median time to decreased TR was 14.4 (3-24) mo; median duration of decreased TR (reported in 3) 9 (6-32) mo; initial TR 50.9 (19.7-447) g Hb/mo; median decrease in TR 12.7 (0.1-88) g Hb/mo. In one report of 6 pts, 2 with pancytopenia showed improvement with ICT in WBC from 1.4 to 1.9 ×109/l (p<0.0001) and neutrophils from 0.51 to 0.94 ×109/l (p<0.001). The platelet count increased from 16.6 to 22.5 ×109/l (p<0.001) and 14.6 to 29.6 ×109/l (p<0.00001) within 3 mo and the MCV decreased significantly in 5 by a mean of 5.1 (2.1-11.7) fl, normalizing in 2. In a second report, neutrophils increased in 8 of 9 pts; in 4 the initial neutrophil count was <1 ×109/l, and platelet counts increased in 7 of 11 pts, in 4 the initial platelet count was <20 ×109/l. Conclusions In summary, our pt is the 19th patient with MDS reported to date in whom improved Hb followed the initiation of ICT; 9 had a decrease in RBC transfusion requirements, and RBC transfusion independence occurred in 10. The remarkable course of these pts adds to evidence that ICT may be of clinical benefit for selected patients with MDS and IOL. Although the improvement in WBC and platelet counts with ICT in some pts implies a suppressive effect of IOL on hematopoiesis that may be abrogated by ICT, the mechanism by which the effects of ICT on transfusion requirements occur, and the frequency with which they occur, remains an area for future investigation. Disclosures Off Label Use: This presentation discusses the use of iron chelation therapy deferoxamine and deferasirox in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.. Vickars:Novartis Canada: Honoraria, Research Funding. Leitch:Novartis Canada: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.


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