1.Insights into Treatment‑Free Remission (TFR) outcomes in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) – a tertiary centre experience in Malaysia
Christopher Chin Keong LIAM ; Yang Liang BOO ; Li Min LIM ; Siew Lian CHONG ; Azizan SHARIF ; Yih Seong WONG ; Veena SELVARATNAM ; Sen Mui TAN ; Soo Min LIM
Blood Research 2025;60():64-
Purpose:
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved the prognosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), allowing patients with favourable disease profiles and molecular responses to attempt treatment-free remission (TFR). We aim to establish the relapse-free survival (RFS) outcomes and identify prognostic factors for successful remission maintenance among those who attempt TFR.
Methods:
Adult CML patients who had undergone TFR from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2024, were included. Upon TKI discontinuation, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) was monitored monthly for the first 12 months, then every 3 months, with TKI reinitiated upon a transcript level above 0.1% (IS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results:
Fifty-seven patients (27 males and 30 females) with a median age of 46 years (range 16 – 70) were analysed.The majority had a low EUTOS long-term survival (ELTS) score (61.4%, n = 35) and received imatinib (87.7%, n = 50).The median treatment duration was 8.8 years (range 4.2 – 18.8), and the median duration for sustained deep molecular remission (DMR) was 4.6 years (range 2.1 – 11.1). RFS was 70.2% at 6 months, 62.5% at 12 months and 56.8% at 2 years after a median follow-up of 34 months (range 9 – 101). The MR5 level was identified as an independent factor associated with sustained remission. All relapsed patients achieved DMR upon treatment reinitiation.
Conclusion
Treatment discontinuation can be safely performed, with many achieving long-term treatment-free remission. A deeper molecular response (MR5) is associated with an improved likelihood of remission maintenance.
2.A summary of the Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis, 2022
Terence Ing WEI ONG ; Lee Ling LIM ; Siew Pheng CHAN ; Winnie Siew SWEE CHEE ; Alan Swee HOCK CH’NG ; Elizabeth GAR MIT CHONG ; Premitha DAMODARAN ; Fen Lee HEW ; Luqman bin IBRAHIM ; Hui Min KHOR ; Pauline Siew MEI LAI ; Joon Kiong LEE ; Ai Lee LIM ; Boon Ping LIM ; Sharmila Sunita PARAMASIVAM ; Jeyakantha RATNASINGAM ; Yew Siong SIOW ; Alexander Tong BOON TAN ; Nagammai THIAGARAJAN ; Swan Sim YEAP
Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia 2023;9(2):60-69
Objectives:
The aim of these Clinical Practice Guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to assist healthcare providers in the screening, diagnosis and management of patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP).
Methods:
A list of key clinical questions on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of OP was formulated. A literature search using the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Databases of Systematic Reviews, and OVID electronic databases identified all relevant articles on OP based on the key clinical questions, from 2014 onwards, to update from the 2015 edition. The articles were graded using the SIGN50 format. For each statement, studies with the highest level of evidence were used to frame the recommendation.
Results:
This article summarizes the diagnostic and treatment pathways for postmenopausal OP. Risk stratification of patients with OP encompasses clinical risk factors, bone mineral density measurements and FRAX risk estimates. Non-pharmacological measures including adequate calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise and falls prevention are recommended. Pharmacological measures depend on patients’ fracture risk status. Very high-risk individuals are recommended for treatment with an anabolic agent, if available, followed by an anti-resorptive agent. Alternatively, parenteral anti-resorptive agents can be used. High-risk individuals should be treated with anti-resorptive agents. In low-risk individuals, menopausal hormone replacement or selective estrogen receptor modulators can be used, if indicated. Patients should be assessed regularly to monitor treatment response and treatment adjusted, as appropriate.
Conclusions
The pathways for the management of postmenopausal OP in Malaysia have been updated. Incorporation of fracture risk stratification can guide appropriate treatment.
3.Risk Factors and Prediction Models for Retinopathy of Prematurity
Mallika Premsenthil ; Mohamad Aziz Salowi ; Mohamad Adam Bujang ; Adeline Kueh ; Chong Min Siew ; Kala Sumugam ; Chan Lee Gaik ; Tan Aik Kah
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2015;22(5):57-63
Objectives: To develop a simple prediction model for the pre-screening of Retinopathy of
Prematurity (ROP) among preterm babies.
Methods: This was a prospective study. The test dataset (January 2007 until December 2010)
was used to construct risk prediction models, and the validation dataset (January 2011 until March
2012) was used to validate the models developed from the test dataset. Two prediction models were
produced using the test dataset based on logistic regression equations in which the development of
ROP was used as the outcome.
Results: The sensitivity and specificity for model 1 [gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW),
intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)] was 82 % and
81.7%, respectively; for model 2, (GA and BW) the sensitivity and specificity were 80.5% and 80.3%,
respectively.
Conclusion: Model 2 was preferable, as it only required two predictors (GA and BW). Our
models can be used for the early prevention of ROP to avoid poor outcomes.

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