Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of venetoclax (VEN) and azacitidine (AZA) in treatment of newly diagnosed elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 17 newly diagnosed elderly AML patients who received VEN+AZA regimen at the First Hospital of Putian City from April 2021 to June 2023 were collected. Treatment outcomes and adverse events were analyzed. Survival curves were plotted by using the Kaplan-Meier method, and intergroup comparisons were performed by using the log-rank test.Results:Among the 17 patients, the median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 70 (68, 74) years, with 11 males (64.7%) and 6 females (35.3%). The median number of treatment courses was 4.0 (2.5, 8.5). After the first course, the composite complete remission (cCR) rate was 41.2% (7/17), minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate was 5.9% (1/17), and overall response rate (ORR) was 82.4% (14/17). By the end of follow-up in September 2023, the cCR rate reached 64.7% (11/17), MRD negativity rate was 52.9% (9/17), and ORR was 88.2% (15/17). The median number of courses to achieve cCR was 1.0 (1.0, 2.0), and to achieve MRD negativity was 3.0 (2.0, 3.5). The follow-up rate was 88.2% (15/17), and the median follow-up time was 17.3 months (95% CI: 7.0-27.6 months). The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 6.5 months (95% CI: 1.7-11.3 months), and median overall survival (OS) time was 12.0 months (95% CI: 0.3-23.7 months). The median OS time after progression was 1.5 months (95% CI: 1.0-2.0 months). All patients experienced hematological adverse events, with 94.1% (16/17) experiencing grade ≥ 3 hematological adverse events. The most common non-hematological adverse event was infection (88.2%, 15/17), with the lung being the most frequent site of infection (82.4%, 14/17), while 41.2% (7/17) of patients had pre-existing infections before treatment. Conclusions:The VEN+AZA regimen demonstrates high remission rates and significant efficacies in treating newly diagnosed elderly AML patients. Although adverse events occur in nearly all patients, most are able to tolerate the treatment.

Pure white cell aplasia (PWCA) is a rare hematologic disorder. In this case study, a 67-year-old man presented with severe neutropenia along with thymoma and lung cancer. A comprehensive diagnostic approach was done which included routine blood test, bone marrow cytology, bone marrow pathology, flow cytometry, and thymic pathology. Other potential causes, such as pure red blood cell aplasia and myelodysplastic syndrome, were ruled out. The final diagnosis was determined to be thymoma-related PWCA. Continuous treatment with human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was ineffective for treating PWCA in this patient. The patient's white blood cell and neutrophil count increased following treatment with cyclosporine and subsequently returned to normal levels by the 8th day after thymectomy. A recurrence of PWCA was identified 40 days after the operation and coincided with COVID-19 infection. The patient eventually succumbed to a severe infection. Therefore, in cases of severe neutropenia with an unclear etiology, prompt evaluation of mediastinal and bone marrow status is imperative.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of intestinal infection in patients with acute leukemia (AL) after chemotherapy. Methods The data of 103 cases of AL patients after chemotherapy from January 2014 to April 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, and categorical variables were compared by using chi-square test. Results A total of 364 cycles of chemotherapy was conducted among 103 patients, of which 66 times (18.13 %) in 59 cycles occurred intestinal infections, including twice intestinal infections in one cycle of chemotherapy in 7 cases. The incidence of intestinal infection was 27.48%(36/131) in group without complete remission (CR), and 9.87%(23/233) in CR group. There was a statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.01). Repeated intestinal infections were found in 46.67%of the patients who accepted multiple cycles of chemotherapy. In the same cycle of chemotherapy, the probability of recurrence of intestinal infection after chemotherapy was 3.7 times than patients without intestinal infection occurred during chemotherapy. The incidence of intestinal infection of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after primary inducing chemotherapy was higher than that of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) (P= 0.019). The incidence of intestinal infection combined with neutropenic was 9.89 % (36/364), and the incidence of intestinal infection was 8.24 % (30/364) in neutrophils > 0.5 × 109/L. There was no significant difference (P> 0.05). After chemotherapy, some patients with intestinal infection occurred acute abdomen, with high mortality rate. Conclusions Intestinal infection may occur in the procession of chemotherapy and myelosuppression. Special attention should be paid on intestinal infection, including reduction of blood stream infection and risk factors, as well as timely intervention.