The levels of multiple vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with hematological malignancies are up-regulated,which associate with disease outcome.VEGF is a major cytokine involved in angiogenesis,and has been related to a variety of functions of endothelial cells.This paper reviews the role of VEGF in leukemia,and discusses the latest development of placenta growth factor in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Aclarubicin ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Cytarabine ; therapeutic use ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interferons ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-2 ; therapeutic use ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; Recurrence ; Remission Induction ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics and clinical outcome of T315I mutation in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

METHODSThe clinical data of 118 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) resistant Ph(+) ALL and CML cases who were detected ABL kinase domain mutation in Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2014 to June 2015 were collected. Karyotypes and BCR-ABL fusion gene were analyzed respectively by R-banding, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Total RNA was extracted by TRIzol reagent and ABL kinase domain mutation was detected by direct sequencing.

RESULTSIn 23 TKIs resistant Ph(+) ALL and 95 CML cases, the rate of ABL kinase domain mutation was 60.9% (14/23) and 41.1% (39/95), respectively, and the rate of T315I mutation was respectively 34. 8% vs 5.3%, the difference was significant (χ(2)=13.586, P<0.01). The rate of mutations in chronic phase/accelerate phase /blast crisis CML patients was 38.8% (19/49), 47.1% (8/17) and 41.4% (12/29), respectively, and there was no significant difference (χ(2)=0.360, P=0.835). In Ph (+) ALL and CML patients, the median time from the beginning of TKI therapy to appearance of T315I mutation was 10 months and 19 months, the median time from the appearance of T315I to death/deadline was 2 months and 3 months, the median time of persistent hematologic response was 10 months and 16 months and the median time of overall survival (OS) was 13 months and 42 months.

CONCLUSIONT315I mutation was more easily occurred in Ph(+) ALL than CML, but two diseases are similar in the median time from the beginning of TKI therapy to appearance of T315I, the median time of persistent hematologic response and OS.

Acute Disease ; Blast Crisis ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Mutation ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use

Objective To analyze the clinical features,efficacy and outcomes in patients with transplantation associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA).Methods The clinical data of 9 patients who developed TA-TMA after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) were retrospectively analyzed from January 2011 to August 2018 in Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Zhengzhou University.Results There were 6 male and 3 female patiens with a median age of 31 (12-38) years.The median time from transplantation to TA-TMA was 76 (24-155) days.The baseline blood and biochemical parameters at diagnosis of TA-TMA included median hemoglobin (Hb) 66 (58-77) g/L,platelet (PLT) count 22 (4-38) × 109/L,serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) 655 (305-4 238) U/L,blood urine nitrogen (BUN)level 15.9 (4.8-26.2) mmol/L,blood creatinine (Cr) level 118 (24-380) μmol/L.The proportion of median peripheral blood schistocytes was 2.6％(1.2％-9％).All patients had positive urinary occult blood tests,and urinary protein was seen in 4 patients.Three patients had mental symptoms.Coombs tests were all negative.The main treatments of TA-TMA composed of reduction and withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitor,steroids and plasma exchange.Response was seen in 4 patients.Patients who did not response to the treatment had a higher proportion of schistocytes,more severe acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD),more elevated serum LDH and other transplant-related complications.Conclusions TA-TMA after allo-HSCT is a serious complication with high mortality rate.The proportion of schistocytes in peripheral blood,serum LDH level and comorbidities are prognostic factors of clinical outcome.

Objective To assess the effectiveness of unrelated donor (URD) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia (SAA),and the difference between URD allo-HSCT and matched sibling donor (MSD) allo-HSCT.Methods According to the source of donors,the SAA patients subject to allo-HSCT were divided into MSD allo-HSCT group (MSD group) and URD allo-HSCT group (URD group) from October 2001 to December 2016 in Henan Cancer Hospital.The efficacy and transplantation related complications were compared between two groups.Results There were no statistically significant differences in hematopoietic reconstitution and graft rejection between two groups.The incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD and chronic GVHD was higher in the URD group than in the MSD group (30.76％ vs.8.57％,P =0.026;26.92％ vs.5.71％,P =0.021).However,other transplant-related complications including pulmonary complications and hemorrhagic cystitis,incidence of EBV and CMV reactivation and venous occlusive disease showed no significant difference between two groups.The estimated 5-year over survival was (73.6 ± 8.7) ％ in the MSD group and (72.7 ± 9.5) ％ in the URD group (P =0.878).There was no significant difference in 5-year disease-free survival between two groups (73.6 ± 8.7％ vs.70.3 ± 10.2,P =0.668).Conclusion URD-HSCT is a novel treatment approach and could be considered as first-line therapy in selected patients without MSD.

Objective:To evaluate risk factors and available treatments of extramedullary relapse (EMR) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in patients with myeloid leukemia.Methods:A total of 280 patients were retrospectively analyzed from January 2008 to December 2018 in Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Clinical data were collected including disease patterns, pre-transplantation status, chromosome karyotype, conditioning regimen, types of donor, extramedullary disease before transplantation and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model were uesd for univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, respectively.Results:Twenty patients developed EMR (7.14%). The median time of EMR was 7.5 (1-123) months after allo-HSCT. The mortality of EMR was 80% (16/20). Univariate analysis identified disease patterns, second complete remission (CR2) or progressive disease before transplantation, extramedullary disease, abnormal karyotype and conditioning regimen without total body radiation as significant factors correlated to EMR ( P<0.05). Multi-variable analysis revealed that CR2 or progressive disease ( RR=3.468,95% CI 2.189-7.786), abnormal karyotype ( RR=1.494,95% CI 1.020-2.189) and extramedullary disease before transplantation ( RR=8.627,95% CI 3.921-18.452) were independent risk factors of EMR. Conclusions:The clinical outcome of EMR after allo-HSCT is poor.It is crucial to comprehensively assess and identify EMR as early as possible.

Objective: To investigate the molecular-cytogenetic characterization and impact on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) therapy in chronic phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) patients with variant Ph chromosome (vPh). Methods: The clinical data of 32 patients with vPh chromosomes were collected and compared with 703 patients with typical Ph chromosome in newly diagnosed CML-CP who were on first-line imatinib (IM) and with BCR-ABL transcript of P210. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic and hematological characteristics between vPh and classic Ph patients. 3(9.4%) of the 32 vPh cases were simple variant translocations. Among the remaining 29 cases with complex variant translocations, 28 cases (87.5%) involved 3 chromosomes, and only 1 (3.1%) involved 4 chromosomes. Except for 8, 15, 18, X, and Y chromosomes, the other chromosomes were involved. The frequency of chromosome 12q(15.5%) and 1p (12.1%) were higher involved. The most common FISH signal pattern was 2G2R1Y (74.1%), followed by 1G1R2F (14.8%), 2G1R1Y (3.7%), 1G2R1Y (3.7%), 1G1R1Y (3.7%). The comparison of complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) (P=0.269), major molecular response (MMR) (P=0.391) were carried out between simple and complex mechanisms, without difference. Compared with the classic Ph, the patients with vPh had higher IM primary resistance rate (χ²=3.978, P=0.046), especially primary hematological resistance (χ²=7.870, P=0.005), but the difference of CCyR (χ²=0.192, P=0.661), MMR (χ²=0.822, P=0.365), EFS (χ²=0.509, P=0.476), OS (χ²=3.485, P=0.062) were not statistically significant, and multivariate analysis showed that the presence of vPh did not affect OS (RR=0.692, 95%CI 0.393-1.765, P=0.658)、EFS (RR=0.893, 95%CI 0.347-2.132, P=0.126) and PFS (RR=1.176, 95%CI 0.643-2.682, P=0.703). Conclusion CML-CP patients with vPh and classic Ph had similar demographic and hematological characteristics. Except for 22q11, 9q34, the frequency of chromosome 12q and 1p were higher involved. The most common FISH signal pattern was 2G2R1Y, and different mechanisms had no impact on TKIs therapy. Compared with cases with classic Ph chromosomes, the patients with vPh chromosomes had higher risk of IM primary resistance, especially primary hematological resistance, which can obtain deeper molecular response quickly after changing to second-generation TKIs and didn’t affect long-term outcomes and OS.

Objective: To explore the occurrence, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of glomerulitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: Analysis were carried out based on the clinical data of 6 patients with de novo glomerulitis following allo-HSCT hospitalized in Henan Tumor Hospital from January 2008 to December 2016, and the clinical manifestation, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome were investigated. Results: The occurrence of glomerulitis was 1.26% (6/478). The median time was 447(272-1 495) d after allo-HSCT. Proteinuria and varying degrees of edema were present in all patients. Of the 6 patients, 4 patients with impaired renal function, 3 cases of hypertension, 5 cases of urine occult blood positive, 2 cases of hyperlipidemia. 5 patients underwent acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), 4 patients accompanied with chronic GVHD at diagnosis. Kidney pathology showed typical features of minimal change diseases in 1 patient, membranous nephropathy in 4 patients and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in 1 case. Immunohistochemistry of glomerular lesions revealed that the immune complex deposition included IgG in 4 patients, C3 in 3 patients, IgM and C1q in 1 patient. Serum ANA was positive in 2 patients and serum IgG and IgM were in high level in 1 patient, respectively. Only 1 case was effective on glucocorticoid. 5 cases treated by low dose cyclophosphamide combined with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), 2 cases achieved complete remission, and 3 cases were partial remission. Up to now, 2 cases died with lung infection, and 4 patients survived. Conclusion The predominant pathological type of glomerulitis was membranous nephropathy. Low-dose cyclophosphamide combined with MMF was an effective treatment.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics and prognosis of clonal chromosomal abnormalities appearing in Philadelphia negative metaphases (CCA/Ph^-) cells in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Methods: The clinical data of 30 cases with CCA/Ph^- during TKI treatment in Henan Cancer Hospital from August 2007 to July 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The univariate factor was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Multiple-factor was analyzed by Cox proportional risk model. Results: Of the 30 cases, 19 (63.3%) were males. At the first detection of CCA/Ph^- the median age was 44 (rang 14-68) years old and the median treatment of TKI was 13 (rang 2-94) months. The clones proportion of first detected CCA/Ph^-≥ 50% was found in 18 (60.0%) cases. TKI treatment for 3 months with BCR-ABL^IS less than 10% was seen in 14 (46.7%) patients. 63.3% (19/30) of CCA/Ph^- was transient (only one time) and 36.7% (11/30) was repeated (≥2 times) . Trisomy 8 dominant accounted for 60.0% (18/30) , -7/7q- for 13.3% (4/30) , loss of chromosome Y 6.7%. With a median of follow-up 50 months, 76.7% (23/30) cases were in complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) ; 63.3% (19/30) in major molecular response (MMR) , 43.3% (13/30) in undetectable minimal residual disease (UMRD) . The median event-free survival rate of (EFS) were 44 months, and 2-year and 5-year EFS were (82.1±7.3) % and (52.4±12.8) %, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) were 50 months, and 2-year and 5-year OS rates were (92.6±5.0) % and (77.2±14.7) %, respectively. Univariate analysis shows that the 2-year EFS of who in males, more than 2 times CCA/Ph^-, BCR-ABL^IS>10% at 3 months after TKI were significantly lower than women, transient CCA/Ph^-, and BCR-ABL^IS≤10% (P<0.05) . The 2-year OS rate in whom the occurrence frequency of CCA/Ph^- more than twice was significantly lower than those with transient CCA/Ph^- (P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that CCA/Ph^- was an independent risk factor (RR=4.741, 95%CI 1.21-18.571, P=0.018) for EFS in CML patients. Conclusion Trisomy 8, -7/7q-, and -Y were the most common CCA/Ph^- during TKI treatment, with high clones proportion of ≥50%. CCA/Ph^- mainly occurred transiently or was permanent occasionally. CCA/Ph^- recurrence (≥2 times) was an independent risk factor for EFS and OS in CML with TKI.

Objective: To explore the pregnancy outcome and disease status among patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) when they stopped TKI treatment during pregnancy. Methods: The clinical characteristics, reproductive outcomes and disease status of the patients who stopped TKI due to pregnancy between November 2004 to November 2017 were retrospectively collected. Results: A total of 14 CML patients in chronic phase (CML-CP), 12 patients were Sokal-low-risk. The median time of TKI treatment was 46.5 (15-123) months before the drug was stopped. The median age at the time of pregnancy was 29 (24-32) years. The median time of TKI exposure was 4 (0-9) weeks in 12 accidental pregnancies. Outcomes were available for 13 pregnancies, 9 cases (69.2%) delivered healthy babies, 1 case (7.7%) delivered polydactylia malformation baby, 3 cases (23.1%) had spontaneous abortion. The last one was still in pregnancy (no organ malformations were observed in color Doppler ultrasound). At the end of the follow up date, 10 children developed normal, the median age was 14 (0.7-65) months. Of the 14 patients who stopped TKI, 7 in complete molecular response (CMR), 3 in MR⁴ (BCR-ABL^IS <0.01%, ABL transcript >10 000), 2 in major molecular response (MMR), 2 in complete cytogenetic response (CCyR). The median time of TKI discontinuation during pregnancy was 33.5 (4-40) weeks. At the end of pregnancy, 4 cases were in CMR, 4 in MR⁴, 1 in MMR and 4 in CCyR. No patients lost CCyR and complete hematologic remission. Conclusions During the treatment of imatinib and Nilotinib, unplanned pregnancy may have a normal infant, but may lead to spontaneous abortion and congenital malformations. Female of CML-CP who had sustained and stable MMR at least 24 months and Sokal-low-risk had higher safety factor discontinued TKI during pregnancy, but still had a risk of increasing tumor load, so monitored the level of BCR-ABL of peripheral blood monthly during pregnancy is necessary.