-
Cancers May 2020It has been suggested that 1-2% of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients present variant rearrangements of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) fusion gene, with... (Review)
Review
It has been suggested that 1-2% of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients present variant rearrangements of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) fusion gene, with the promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger (PLZF)/RAR being the most frequent. Resistance to all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been suggested in PLZF/RAR and other variant APLs. Herein, we analyze the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of variant APLs reported to the multinational PETHEMA (Programa para el Tratamiento de Hemopatias Malignas) registry, and we perform a systematic review in order to shed light on strategies to improve management of these extremely rare diseases. Of 2895 patients with genetically confirmed APL in the PETHEMA registry, 11 had variant APL (0.4%) (9 PLZF-RAR and 2 NPM1-RAR), 9 were men, with median age of 44.6 years (3 months to 76 years), median leucocytes (WBC) 16.8 × 10/L, and frequent coagulopathy. Eight patients were treated with ATRA plus chemotherapy-based regimens, and 3 with chemotherapy-based. As compared to previous reports, complete remission and survival was slightly better in our cohort, with 73% complete remission (CR) and 73% survival despite a high relapse rate (43%). After analyzing our series and performing a comprehensive and critical review of the literature, strong recommendations on appropriate management of variant APL are not possible due to the low number and heterogeneity of patients reported so far.
PubMed: 32455804
DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051313 -
Systematic Reviews May 2020Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the angiogenesis regulators, which plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis and tumor progression. Current... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the angiogenesis regulators, which plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis and tumor progression. Current studies have found that VEGF plays an important role in hematologic diseases including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the circulating levels of VEGF in AML were still controversial among published studies.
METHODS
Three databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to February 2020. All articles included in the meta-analysis met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies will be screened and data extracted by two independent investigators. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Risk of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool were applied to evaluate the quality of the included studies. A random-effects model was applied to pool the standardized mean difference (SMD). Heterogeneity test was performed by the Q statistic and quantified using I. All statistical analysis was conducted in Stata 12.0 software.
RESULTS
Fourteen case-control studies were finally included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was high in our included studies (I = 91.1%, P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed no significant change when any one study was excluded using random-effect methods (P > 0.05). Egger's linear regression test showed that no publication bias existed (P > 0.05). Patients with AML, mainly those newly diagnosed and untreated, have higher VEGF levels (SMD = 0.85, 95% CI 0.28-1.42). Moreover, AML patients in n ≥ 40 group, plasma group, Asia and Africa group, and age ≥ 45 group had higher circulating VEGF levels (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Compared to healthy controls, our meta-analysis shows a significantly higher level of circulating VEGF in AML patients, and it is associated with sample size, sample type, region, and age.
Topics: Africa; Asia; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
PubMed: 32375879
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-020-01368-9 -
International Journal of... Oct 2020: The aim of this review was to evaluate the influence of aberrant phenotypes in prognosis and survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients by multiparametric flow... (Review)
Review
: The aim of this review was to evaluate the influence of aberrant phenotypes in prognosis and survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients by multiparametric flow cytometry. : Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a review of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science was carried out through 1998 to 2016, conducted by two reviewers independently, evaluating titles, abstracts and full-texts of the selected studies. : Ten studies were included on this review, in which the aberrant phenotype expression of 17 markers were detected in AML patients. From these, 11 aberrant phenotypes were associated with prognosis, which eight had shown negative impact on prognosis: CD7, CD56, CD15, CD2, CD3, CD90, CD123, CD117, and three others were associated with good prognosis: CD19, CD98 and CD117/CD15. Meta-analysis showed that aberrant expression of CD56 as a poor prognostic marker with unfavorable outcomes is implicated in decreased overall survival in AML patients in 28 months (95% CI: 0.62 to 0.92). This was observed when there was association between CD56 expression and other prognostic factors, influencing on patients' management care and treatment.
PubMed: 33603989
DOI: 10.18502/ijhoscr.v14i4.4484 -
American Journal of Blood Research 2021Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although genetically and morphologically distinct from other B and T cell ALL subtypes, has one of the most rapidly progressing course and... (Review)
Review
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), although genetically and morphologically distinct from other B and T cell ALL subtypes, has one of the most rapidly progressing course and worse outcomes. The current diagnostic classification of AML offers best curative intent, the outcomes are not usually those that are expected at the start of therapy. This is partly attributed to the complex mechanism of leukemogenesis and resistance to chemotherapy. The underlying genetic mechanism of resistance is as complex as is the disease etiopathogenesis. Recent advances in therapy of drug resistant AML highlight the role of epigenetic targets. New FDA approved targeted therapy has also provided some evidence at improving outcomes in clinical trials. This review provides a detailed review of FDA approved targets and ongoing clinical trials for targeting CRISPER, CAR-T and other intestinal modalities for approach to epigenetictargets. However, this group of epigenetic targeted therapy needs more validation to prove its clinical efficacy. A systematic review of all published research on these targets, investigational agents and FDA approved targeted therapy summarizes this evidence. It also takes us through a brief review of mechanism of action and targets for therapy.
PubMed: 34824880
DOI: No ID Found -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases Dec 2022The effectiveness of quinolone prophylaxis in high-risk hematological pediatric patients is controversial. A systematic review was performed according to Preferred... (Review)
Review
The effectiveness of quinolone prophylaxis in high-risk hematological pediatric patients is controversial. A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, including studies that involved children and young adults undergoing chemotherapy for acute leukemia or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) who received quinolone prophylaxis compared with no prophylaxis. A meta-analysis was performed on bloodstream infections and neutropenic fever. Data regarding the impact of prophylaxis on overall survival, antibiotic exposure, antibiotic-related adverse effects, antibiotic resistance, infections, fungal infections, length of hospitalization, and costs were reviewed in the descriptive analysis. Sixteen studies were included in the qualitative analysis, and 10 of them met the criteria for quantitative analysis. Quinolone prophylaxis was effective in reducing the rate of bloodstream infections and neutropenic fever in pediatric acute leukemia compared with no prophylaxis, but it had no significant effect in HSCT recipients. Prophylaxis was associated with a higher rate of bacterial resistance to fluoroquinolones and higher antibiotic exposure.
PubMed: 36504701
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac594 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2021Birth weight, an important indicator of fetal nutrition and degree of development, may affect the risk of subsequent leukemia. At present, little is known about the...
Birth weight, an important indicator of fetal nutrition and degree of development, may affect the risk of subsequent leukemia. At present, little is known about the effect of birth weight on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and whether there is a dose-dependent relationship of birth weight with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) and AML. To address these questions, the present work aimed to systematically investigate the relationship between birth weight and the risk of subsequent leukemia based on the current epidemiological studies Relevant studies were systematically retrieved from electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, from inception to May 15th, 2021. Finally, 28 studies (including 21 case-control studies and 7 cohort studies) were included for the final meta-analysis. Results in cohort studies were performed by risk ratios (RRs), while those in case-control studies by odds ratios (ORs), and all results were assessed by adopting the random-effect model. Besides, a dose-dependent analysis was conducted based on the cohort studies. Compared with the population with normal birth weight (NBW), the population with high birth weight (HBW) might have an increased risk of leukemia (OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.20-1.49; 0%). Meanwhile, low birth weight (LBW) was associated with a decreased risk of ALL, as evidenced from the pooled analysis of case-control studies (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75-0.92; 23.3%). However, relative to NBW population, the HBW population might have an increased risk of ALL (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.20-1.35; 7%). There was no obvious evidence supporting the relationship between LBW and the risk of AML from the pooled analysis of case-control studies (OR, 1.11 95% CI 0.87-1.42; 31.7%). Overall, in children and young adults, HBW population may be associated with the risks of subsequent leukemia and AML relative to NBW population, but the supporting dose-dependent evidence is lacking. In addition, compared with NBW population, there is stronger evidence supporting a significantly increased risk of subsequent ALL in HBW population, and a decreased risk in LBW population in a dose-dependent manner. More prospective studies with large samples are warranted in the future to validate and complement these findings.
PubMed: 34631622
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.722471 -
Cancer Nursing 2016Acute leukemia represents 4% of cancer cases in the United States annually. There are more than 302 000 people living with acute and chronic leukemia in the United... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Acute leukemia represents 4% of cancer cases in the United States annually. There are more than 302 000 people living with acute and chronic leukemia in the United States. Treatment has been shown to have both positive and negative effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to examine psychometric properties of symptom and HRQOL instruments and to provide implications for the assessment in adults with acute leukemia relevant to clinical practice and future research.
METHODS
Systematic literature search was conducted from 1990 to 2014 using electronic databases and manual searches. Psychometric studies were considered eligible for inclusion if (1) the psychometric paper was published using at least 1 HRQOL or symptom instrument, and (2) adults with acute leukemia were included in the sample. Studies were excluded if the age groups were not adults, or if the instrument was in a language other than English.
RESULTS
Review identified a total of 7 instruments (1 cancer generic HRQOL, 2 symptom related, 3 HRQOL combined with symptom questions, and 1 disease specific). The most commonly used instrument was the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30, followed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS
An acute leukemia diagnosis can have a significant impact on HRQOL. Our recommendations include using both an HRQOL and symptom instrument to capture patient experiences during and after treatment.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
The availability of comprehensive, valid, and reliable HRQOL and symptom instruments to capture the experiences of adults with acute leukemia during and after treatment is limited.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Leukemia; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors; United States
PubMed: 26645111
DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000327 -
Psycho-oncology Jul 2021Steroids play an essential role in treating pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The downside is that these drugs can cause severe side effects, such as adverse... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Steroids play an essential role in treating pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The downside is that these drugs can cause severe side effects, such as adverse psychological reactions (APRs) and sleep problems, which can compromise health-related quality of life. This study aimed to systematically review literature to identify risk factors for steroid-induced APRs and sleep problems in children with ALL.
METHODS
A systematic search was performed in six databases. Titles/abstracts were independently screened by two researchers. Data from each included study was extracted based on predefined items. Risk of bias and level of evidence were assessed, using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation tool, respectively.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles were included. APR measurement ranged from validated questionnaires to retrospective record retrieval, sleep measurement included questionnaires or actigraphy. Overall, quality of evidence was very low. Current evidence suggests that type/dose of steroid is not related to APRs, but might be to sleep problems. Younger patients seem at risk for behavior problems and older patients for sleep problems. No studies describing parental stress or medical history were identified. Genetic susceptibility associations remain to be replicated.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the current evidence, conclusions about risk factors for steroid-induced adverse psychological reactions or sleep problems in children with ALL should be drawn cautiously, since quality of evidence is low and methods of measurement are largely heterogeneous. A standardized registration of steroid-induced APRs/sleep problems and risk factors is warranted for further studies in children with ALL.
Topics: Child; Humans; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sleep Wake Disorders; Steroids
PubMed: 33825231
DOI: 10.1002/pon.5654 -
Experimental Hematology & Oncology 2020The DNA hypomethylating agents (HMAs) decitabine and azacitidine have been widely used in the management of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The DNA hypomethylating agents (HMAs) decitabine and azacitidine have been widely used in the management of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, no direct clinical trials have been carried out to compare the two agents. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were performed to indirectly compare the efficacy and safety of decitabine and azacitidine in elderly AML patients.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library through May 14, 2019. Randomized controlled trials on elderly AML patients comparing the efficacy and safety between decitabine and azacitidine, or comparing one of HMAs to standard supportive care or placebo were selected. The major outcomes of interest were performed with methods of adjusted indirect comparison and the fixed effect model.
RESULTS
Only three RCTs including a total number of 1086 patients were identified. Direct comparisons showed that azacitidine significantly reduced mortality (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.83-0.97) while decitabine was not significantly associated with lower mortality (RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.92-1.02) compared to the conventional care regimen (CCR). In addition, for the indirect method, azacitidine significantly reduced mortality compared to decitabine (RR = 0.83 95% CI 0.77-0.90) and was more likely to improve complete response (CR) (RR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.17-2.35, low-certainty evidence). No statistical significance was found for the other studied outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared to CCR, decitabine and azacitidine can promote studied outcomes in elderly AML patients. Indirect evidence with low certainty was used to compare these two agents. The superiority of either agent cannot be confirmed, and head-to-head clinical trials are still required.
PubMed: 32190414
DOI: 10.1186/s40164-020-00160-8 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2019Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens are established options for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)... (Review)
Review
Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens are established options for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). However, the efficacy of RIC regimens for patients with high-risk disease is limited. The addition of a fludarabine, amsacrine, and cytarabine (FLAMSA)-sequential conditioning regimen was introduced for patients with high-risk MDS and AML to combine a high anti-leukemic activity with the advantages of RIC. The current systematic literature review and meta-analysis was conducted with the aim of identifying all cohort studies of patients with AML and/or MDS who received FLAMSA-RIC to determine its efficacy and toxicity. Out of 3044 retrieved articles, 12 published studies with 2395 overall patients (18.1-76.0 years; 96.8% AML and 3.2% MDS; follow-up duration of 0.7-145 months; 50.3% had active AML disease before HSCT) met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. In the pooled analysis, the 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 59.6% (95% confidence interval (CI), 47.9-70.2%) and 40.2% (95% CI, 28.0-53.7%), respectively. The pooled 3-year OS rate of the patients who achieved CR1 or CR2 prior to HSCT was 60.1% (95% CI, 55.1-64.8%) and the percentage of those with relapse or refractory disease was 27.8% (95% CI, 23.3-32.8%). The pooled 3-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) rate was 39.3% (95% CI, 26.4-53.9%). Approximately 29% of the patients suffered from grades 2-4 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), while 35.6% had chronic GVHD. The pooled 1- and 3-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) rates were 17.9% (95% CI, 16.1-19.8%) and 21.1% (95% CI, 18.8-23.7%), respectively. Our data indicates that the FLAMSA-RIC regimen is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for HSCT in patients with high-risk AML and MDS.
PubMed: 31514339
DOI: 10.3390/jcm8091437