Vitiligo is correlated with clinical benefits in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e22023-e22023
Author(s):  
Gaston Martin Reinas ◽  
Marcelo Muino ◽  
Mariana Abal ◽  
Carlos Garcia Gerardi ◽  
Flavio Tognelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cutaneous Melanoma ◽  
Treatment Initiation ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Group A ◽  
Melanoma Patients ◽  
Group B ◽  
Group Characteristics

e22023 Background: Use of ICI changed the treatment of Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma Patients (ACMP). This paper analyzes the evolution of ACMP who develop vitiligo during ICI treatment at Instituto Oncológico Henry Moore (IOHM). Methods: We selected all ACMP that received ICI between August 2015 and December 2019. We collected clinical data and compared Group A (ACMP with vitiligo) with Group B (ACMP without vitiligo) on: response rate (RR), time from ICI treatment initiation to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS), defined as time from ICI treatment initiation to death. Outcomes were assessed using table tests and Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank test. Results: Out of 32 ACMP treated with ICI, 12 Pt (37%) were in Group A and 20 Pt (63%) were in Group B. Table shows group characteristics and outcomes. Conclusions: 1) During treatment with ICI, 12 out of 32 (37%) advanced cutaneous melanoma patients were afflicted with vitiligo. 2) Two out of three patients who responded to ICI treatment developed vitiligo and obtained better TTP and OS than those without vitiligo. 3) According to these results, vitiligo is the consequence of the immune system reactivation responsible for considerable clinical benefits. Further studies should analyze if it is feasible to reduce ICI doses in patients who develop this adverse effect. 4) In this small and retrospective series, Nivolumab was more frequently correlated with vitiligo and clinical benefits, but we need prospective studies to decide which ICI treatment is the most effective. [Table: see text]

The role of previous radical local treatment (RLT) on the outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients (pts) with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC).

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 496-496
Author(s):  
Rafael Morales-Barrera ◽  
Natalia Vidal Casinello ◽  
Montserrat Domenech ◽  
Teresa Bonfill ◽  
Javier Puente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Local Treatment ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
True Value ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Group A ◽  
Control Disease ◽  
Primary Bladder ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

496 Background: There is a growing interest in local treatment for metastatic solid tumors. Recently, retrospective studies have reported the potential benefit of RLT to primary bladder cancer in pts with metastatic disease. We tested the impact of previous RLT in pts with mUC treated with ICI. Methods: Data from pts with mUC treated with ICI collected between May 2013 and May 2019 using a multi-institutional database was evaluated. Stratification was made according to previous RLT with ICI versus no RLT with ICI. We defined RLT as radical surgery (RS) or ≥50 Gy of radiotherapy (RT) delivered to the bladder. The X2 test was used to determine differences in rates. Overall survival (OS) between previous RLT plus ICI (group A) versus no RLT plus ICI (group B) generated using Kaplan-Meier method was compared by log-rank test. OS was calculated from the date of initiation of ICI to the date of death. Analyses were performed using SPSS v21. Results: A total of 115 pts with mUC were treated with ICI, 62 (53.9%) previously were treated with RS, 7(6.1%) RT and 46 (40%) no received RLT. ICI prescribed were atezolizumab (55.7%), pembrolizumab (16.5%), durvalumab (11.3%), durvalumab/tremelimumab (7.8%), nivolumab (5.2%) and avelumab (3.5%). The disease control rate (CR [6.9%] +PR [9.6%] +SD [14.1%]) was higher for pts with previous RLT compared to those pts who did not receive RLT (CR [3.2%] + PR [5.8%] + SD [6.4%](P=0.325). Median OS was 11.23 mo (95% CI; 6.02-16.44) and 7.95 mo (95%IC; 5.15-10.75) for group A and group B, respectively (P=0.481). Conclusions: This multicenter cohort suggests that previous RLT might play an impact for control disease in pts with mUC treated with ICI. Although this is hypothesis generating, the true value of this approach remains to be demonstrated in prospective studies.

Fistula first, graft on arterialized vein second

Vascular ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-269
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Galzerano ◽  
Michele Giubbolini ◽  
Francesco Setacci ◽  
Gianmarco de Donato ◽  
Pasqualino Sirignano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patency Rate ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
P Value ◽  
Secondary Patency ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Vein Stenosis

Objectives Arterovenous grafts (AVGs) present a feasible solution for creating a vascular access in patients who are unsuitable for autogenous fistula (AVF). The aim of this study is to assess the prevention rate of vein stenosis, placing a graft on an arterialized vein (GAV) instead of an anastomized AVG in a native vein (GNV). Methods This was a cohort study conducted from January 2009 to November 2012. All consecutive patients who underwent AVG in our institution were included. All patients requiring a secondary intervention were also referred to our centre. Patients underwent ultrasound follow up at first and the every month. A Kaplan–Meier method was used; a Log-rank test was used to identify whether significant difference existed between GAV and GNV ( p < 0.05). Results Forty-six grafts were placed. Twenty patients had arterialized receiving veins (group A), while 26 patients received an AVG immediately because they lacked autogenous veins suitable for fistula (group B).The average follow-up period was 16.1 months (range 0–41). The group A 41 months-patency rate was 84.3%, while group B was 43.7% ( p = 0.06). Secondary patency was similar in the two groups. Conclusions Vein arterialization seems to prevent venous stenosis improving AVG-patency rate. More data are needed; however, the borderline p value encourages new studies.

Influence of Gynecologic Oncologists on the Survival of Patients With Endometrial Cancer

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 832-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Chan ◽  
Alexander E. Sherman ◽  
Daniel S. Kapp ◽  
Ruxi Zhang ◽  
Kathryn E. Osann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Group A ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Staging Surgery ◽  
Group B

Purpose Despite a lack of evidence for survival benefit, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has recommendations for referral to gynecologic oncologists for the treatment of endometrial cancer. Therefore, we propose to determine the influence of gynecologic oncologists on the treatment and survival of patients with endometrial cancer. Patients and Methods Data were obtained from Medicare and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) databases from 1988 to 2005. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard methods were used for analyses. Results Of 18,338 women, 21.4% received care from gynecologic oncologists (group A) while 78.6% were treated by others (group B). Women in group A were older (age > 71 years: 49.6% v 44%; P < .001), had more lymph nodes (> 16) removed (22% v 17%; P < .001), presented with more advanced (stages III to IV) cancers (21.9% v 14.6%; P < .001), had higher-grade tumors (P < .001), and were more likely to receive chemotherapy for advanced disease (22.6% v 12.4%; P < .001). In those with stages II to IV disease, the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) of group A was 79% versus 73% in group B (P = .001). Moreover, in advanced-stage (III to IV) disease, group A had 5-year DSS of 72% versus 64% in group B (P < .001). However, no association with DSS was identified in stage I cancers. On multivariable analysis, younger age, early stage, lower grade, and treatment by gynecologic oncologists were independent prognostic factors for improved survival. Conclusion Patients with endometrial cancer treated by gynecologic oncologists were more likely to undergo staging surgery and receive adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced disease. Care provided by gynecologic oncologists improved the survival of those with high-risk cancers.

scholarly journals Combination of Pembrolizumab with Electrochemotherapy in Cutaneous Metastases from Melanoma: A Comparative Retrospective Study from the InspECT and Slovenian Cancer Registry

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4289
Author(s):  
Luca G. Campana ◽  
Barbara Peric ◽  
Matteo Mascherini ◽  
Romina Spina ◽  
Christian Kunte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Registry ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Cutaneous Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Locoregional Therapy ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Melanoma Metastases ◽  
Melanoma Patients ◽  
Cutaneous Melanoma Metastases

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an effective locoregional therapy for cutaneous melanoma metastases and has been safely combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in preliminary experiences. Since ECT is known to induce immunogenic cell death, its combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors might be beneficial. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ECT on cutaneous melanoma metastases in combination with pembrolizumab. We undertook a retrospective matched cohort analysis of stage IIIC–IV melanoma patients, included in the International Network for sharing practices of ECT (InspECT) and the Slovenian Cancer Registry. We compared the outcome of patients who received the following treatments: (a) pembrolizumab alone, (b) pembrolizumab plus ECT, and (c) ECT. The groups were matched for age, sex, performance status, and size of skin metastases. The local objective response rate (ORR) was higher in the pembrolizumab-ECT group than in the pembrolizumab group (78% and 39%, p < 0.001). The 1 year local progression-free survival (LPFS) rates were 86% and 51% (p < 0.001), and the 1 year systemic PFS rates were 64% and 39%, respectively (p = 0.034). The 1 year overall survival (OS) rates were 88% and 64%, respectively (p = 0.006). Our results suggest that skin-directed therapy with ECT improves superficial tumor control in melanoma patients treated with pembrolizumab. Interestingly, we observed longer PFS and OS in the pembrolizumab-ECT group than in the pembrolizumab group. These findings warrant prospective confirmation.

Evaluation of different MET genotypes as biomarkers for immunotherapy outcomes in NSCLC patients.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21032-e21032
Author(s):  
Xuanzong Li ◽  
Linlin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Entire Cohort ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Tumor Mutational Burden ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Nsclc Patients

e21032 Background: Previous studies suggested that MET exon 14 ( METex14) mutation regarding as a distinct subset was sensitive to MET-inhibitors, but poorly response to immunotherapy. Conversly, MET non-exon-14 (non-ex14) mutations including those undetermined functions and affecting the kinase or extracellular domains were found to be associated with the resistance to MET-inhibitors. However, therapeutic strategies for MET-non-ex14 mutant cancer are still largely unknown, and the relationship between MET-non-ex14 mutations and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has never been reported. Using two public ICIs-treated cohorts, we aimed to assess the role of MET mutations including both METex14 and MET-non-ex14 mutations in NSCLC patients undergoing ICIs therapy. Methods: A total of 385 ICIs-treated NSCLC patients were enrolled to our study. MET mutations were defined as any nonsynonymous mutations, and we divided them into METex14 and MET-non-ex14 mutation subsets according to the mutated-position on MET. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the difference of tumor mutational burden (TMB) score, and the Fisher’s exact test was applied to compare the rates of durable clinical benefit (DCB). Log-rank test was used to analyze the differences between Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results: In the entire cohort, we found that 17 patients (17/385, 4.4%) had MET mutations, most of which were pure METex14 mutations (10/17, 58.8%). The median TMB of patients in the entire NSCLC cohort was 6.89 mut/Mb. MET-non-ex14 mutant patients (7/385, 1.8%) possessed a significantly higher TMB than METex14-mutant (10/385, 2.6%) and MET wild-type (368/385, 95.6%) sub-cohorts, respectively (median TMB, 17.92 mut/Mb versus 4.17 mut/Mb, p = 0.008; 17.92 mut/Mb versus 6.96 mut/Mb, p = 0.01, respectively). DCB was more common in patients harbored MET-non-ex14 mutations than patients with METex14 mutations and MET wild-type (66.7% versus 14.3%, p = 0.103; 66.7% versus 29.9%, p = 0.075, respectively). We found that patients with MET-non-ex14 mutations had a numerically longer progression free survival (PFS) than those with METex14 mutations and MET wild-type (p = 0.169). Moreover, the PFS was significantly longer in MET-non-ex14-mutant subgroup than patients with METex14 mutations (median PFS, 9.1 versus 2.1 months, p = 0.025). Correspondingly, the overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in MET-non-ex14-mutant subgroup than their wild-type counterparts (median OS, not reached versus 11 months, p = 0.039). Additionally, patients with MET-non-ex14 mutations exhibited relatively better OS versus METex14-mutant patients (median OS, not reached versus 18 months, p = 0.175). Conclusions: MET-non-ex14 mutations were associated with higher TMB, improved DCB rate, and could act as a favorable prognostic biomarker in ICIs-treated NSCLC patients.

Volume increase of spleen in melanoma patients undergoing immune checkpoint blockade

Immunotherapy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Susok ◽  
Dominik Reinert ◽  
Carsten Lukas ◽  
Eggert Stockfleth ◽  
Thilo Gambichler
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Cutaneous Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Spleen Volume ◽  
Volume Increase ◽  
Computer Tomographic ◽  
Melanoma Patients

Aim: To find out whether treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) results in volume increase of the spleen. Patient & methods: We studied 49 stage III and IV melanoma patients with an indication for ICIs. Computer tomographic-assisted volumetry of spleens was performed. Results: After 3 months, median spleen volume was significantly increased when compared with the baseline volume. At 3 months, the increase of spleen volume was significantly associated with the use of ipilimumab and ipilimumab plus nivolumab. There was no significant association between spleen volume increase and clinical parameters. Conclusion: The median spleen volume of patients with cutaneous melanoma increases during the first months of ICI treatment, which was particularly attributable to the use of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-CTLA-4/anti-PD-1 regimens.

Suboccipital and cervical chordomas: the value of aggressive treatment at first presentation of the disease

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 1070-1077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Carpentier ◽  
Marc Polivka ◽  
Alexandre Blanquet ◽  
Guillaume Lot ◽  
Bernard George
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Aggressive Treatment ◽  
Actuarial Survival ◽  
High Tendency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Log Rank Test ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Chordoma is a locally invasive tumor with a high tendency for recurrence for which radical resection is generally recommended. To assess the benefits of aggressive treatment of chordomas, the authors compared results in patients treated aggressively at the first presentation of this disease with results in patients who were similarly treated, but after recurrence. Methods. Among 36 patients with cervical chordomas who were treated at the authors' institution, 22 underwent primary aggressive treatment (Group A) and 14 were treated secondarily after tumor recurrence (Group B). Two cases were excluded from Group A because of unrelated early deaths and three from Group B because of insufficient pre- or postoperative data. Most tumors were located at the suboccipital level and only eight cases at a level below C-2. Radiotherapy and proton therapy were similarly conducted in both groups of patients. The actuarial survival rates were 80 and 65% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, in Group A patients and 50 and 0% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, in Group B patients (p = 0.049, log-rank test). The actuarial recurrence-free rates were 70 and 35% at 5 and 10 years, respectively, in Group A and 0% at 3 years in Group B (p < 0.0001, log-rank test). The numbers of recurrences per year were 0.15 in Group A and 0.62 in Group B (p > 0.05). All other parameters that were analyzed (patient age, delay before diagnosis, clinical symptoms, chondroid type of lesion, and histological features) did not prove to influence prognosis in a statistically significant manner. Conclusions. Aggressive therapy, combining as radical a resection as possible with radiotherapy, seems to improve the prognoses of suboccipital and cervical chordomas when applied at the patient's first presentation with the disease.

scholarly journals P1166DOES PERITONEAL PROTEIN LOSS AFFECT CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY OF PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS ?

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marios Theodoridis ◽  
Stylianos Panagoutsos ◽  
Ioannis Neofytou ◽  
Konstantia Kantartzi ◽  
Efthimia Mourvati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Cardiovascular Mortality ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Protein Loss ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Abstract Background and Aims Peritoneal protein loss (PPL) through peritoneal effluent has been a well-recognized detrimental result of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The amount of protein lost will depend on dialysis time, protein size, its serum concentration and other factors including patients’ clinical status. Peritoneal protein loss may be a manifestation of endothelial dysfunction, as with another type of capillary protein leakage, microalbuminuria, a recognized endothelial dysfunction marker. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the influence of PPL on cardiovascular mortality of peritoneal dialysis patients Method This is a single center retrospective study of 84 PD patients (m=54, f=30) with mean age of 65.2±17 years, mean PD duration of 43.2±24.9 months conducted for the time period from 2006 to 2019 (13 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to the amount of protein excreted during the modified Peritoneal Equilibration Test (PET) procedure using PD solution of 3.86% DW, 2 Lt infusion volume for total time of 4 hours. The total amount of proteins excreted was calculate from PET by multiplying the concentration of proteins at the end of the test with the total volume of PD fluid at the same time. Group A excreted a total amount of proteins &lt; 1.55 gr (median value) at the end of PET test and Group B &gt; 1.55 gr. The cumulative all-cause and cardiovascular survival of the PD patients was calculated by Kaplan Meier while the possible effect of any parameter in survival rates was evaluated by using Cox Regression analysis Results There was not any statistically significant difference between the two groups according to PD duration, age, dialysis adequacy targets, Residual Renal Function(RRF), BMI, ultrafiltration volume during PET and their transport status. The cumulative all-cause survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no statistically significant deference between the two groups (Log Rank p=0.55) even though mortality risk was adjusted for several factors (Cox Regression). When cardiovascular survival, using Cox Regression analysis, was adjusted for age, sex, Diabetes, PD modality, dialysis Kt/V and RRF we found that Group A (with protein excretion &lt; 1.55 gr) had statistically significant better cardiovascular survival (p=0.029) compared to Group B. We confirm these results while trying to find among the total of our patients the possible risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. Using Cox Regression analysis, the amount of protein excreted during PET procedure and the type of PD solutions (high or low in GDPs) used were statistically significant (p=0.019 and p=0.04 respectively) independent risk factors for cardiovascular survival in our patients. Conclusion These results indicate that protein loss during peritoneal dialysis procedure has negative impact on cardiovascular mortality and survival of PD patients. Additionally, the use of PD solutions with low Glucose Degradation Products (GDPs) and AGEs may improve PD patient’s cardiovascular survival. Randomized interventional studies are encouraged to address the pathological concern of PPL in the future, namely its effects on cardiovascular conditions or its role as marker and effort to reduce PPL using ACE inhibitors or vit D should be considered only if it diminishes cardiovascular morbidity or mortality.

scholarly journals Cisplatin, Cetuximab, and Radiation in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: A Retrospective Review

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. CMO.S18682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prakash Peddi ◽  
Runhua Shi ◽  
Binu Nair ◽  
Fred Ampil ◽  
Glenn M. Mills ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Locally Advanced ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Advanced Head ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Efficacy of cisplatin versus cetuximab with radiation in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) was evaluated. A total of 96 patients with newly diagnosed LAHNC treated at our institution between 2006 and 2011 with concurrent radiation and cisplatin (group A, n = 45), cetuximab (group B, n = 24), or started with cisplatin but switched to cetuximab because of toxicity (group C, n = 27) were reviewed. Chi-square test, analysis of variance, and log-rank test were used for analysis. The three groups had similar baseline characteristics, except for median age, T stage, albumin levels, hemoglobin levels, performance status, and comorbidities. A complete response (CR) was seen in 77%, 17%, and 67% of patients ( P < 0.001), respectively. There was no significant difference in median overall survival (OS) between groups A and C. The median OS for groups A and C was not reached (>65 months), even though it was significantly longer than median OS for group B (11.6 months; P ≤ 0.001). The 2-year OS in groups A and C is significantly higher than that in group B (70% for groups A and C, 22% for group B). There is no significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between groups A and C. The median PFS for these groups was not reached (>62 months), and is significantly longer than that for group B (4.3 months; P ≤ 0.001). The 2-year PFS of group A (67%) and group C (76%) was significantly longer than that of group B (20%). Cisplatin with radiation appears to be more efficacious even in suboptimal dosing than cetuximab with radiation in LAHNC but the two groups were not well matched.

The Prognostic Value of Serum APRIL Levels in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5648-5648
Author(s):  
Sinem Nihal Esatoglu ◽  
Dilek Keskin ◽  
Muge Kutnu ◽  
Tugrul Elverdi ◽  
Ayse Salihoglu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Log Rank Test ◽  
Treatment Naïve ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Time To First Treatment

Abstract Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease with variable clinical course. Several studies have been conducted to predict outcome in patients with CLL and also have been going on. A proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) has been shown to involve in survival and resistance to apoptosis in CLL, and APRIL molecule has been investigated as a prognostic marker in CLL patients. However, there are limited and controversial data regarding APRIL and its impact on prognosis in CLL. We aimed to compare serum APRIL levels in CLL patients with those of age and gender matched healthy subjects, and to investigate the relationship between APRIL and the other common prognostic factors, and to determine whether serum APRIL levels predict time to first treatment in CLL. Methods: After ethical approval and informed consent were obtained, between May and December 2012, venous blood samples were driven from 96 CLL patients’ and 25 healthy controls’, and serum APRIL levels were measured by ELISA. Demographic data and the prognostic markers were obtained from the patients’ files, and patients have been followed for a minimum of 12 months. We tested the correlation between APRIL with the, clinical and biological parameters, and used the log rank test to compare their Kaplan Meier curves. Results: Patients were divided into three groups: Treatment naive (group A, n=49), chemotherapy receiving (group B, n=25) and who had previously received chemotherapy (group C, n=22). Median APRIL level was higher in group A (2.78 vs 1.29; p=0.034) and group C (3.54 vs 1.29; p=0.001) when compared to healthy controls, but was not different in group B (1.56 vs 1.29; p=0.3) (Figure 1). Serum APRIL level in group A was negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels (r=-0.298; p=0.037) and platelet counts (r=-0.321; p=0.025) whereas no correlation with age, Rai and Binet stages, lymphocyte counts, β2-microglobulin and CD38 levels were detected. Group A patients were also divided into 2 subgroups (APRIL levels low, n=20 and APRIL levels high, n=29) using median natural logarithm of serum APRIL level as cut off. April low and high subgroups were similar with respect to demographic data and prognostic factors. Median time to first treatment was not reached in the APRIL low group, but was 104 months in the APRIL high group (p=0.13, log-rank test). Conclusions: Among the treatment naive patients, serum APRIL levels only negatively correlate with hemoglobin levels and platelet counts. These correlations seem to be associated with tumor burden rather than the prognosis, because APRIL levels were not different in chemotherapy receiving patients compared to healthy controls. Since a median survival time could not be reached in the APRIL low group, short follow up time might be an explanation why the APRIL levels did not predict the time to first treatment. In conclusion, our findings let us to think APRIL levels are not a useful marker to predict prognosis in patients with CLL. Figure 1. Median APRIL levels of CLL patients and healthy controls (ng/mL) Figure 1. Median APRIL levels of CLL patients and healthy controls (ng/mL) Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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