Management of Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia (AML) Treated with Intensive Chemotherapy: Experience in a Single Centre

Introduction: Acute myeloblastic leukaemia (AML) is a haematological malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite significant therapeutic progress. This study presents the results of AML management in Mali according to GFAOP recommendations. Methodology: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. It included patients aged 0 - 15 years treated in the paediatric oncology unit for AML and followed up between January 2016 and December 2020. Results: During the study period, 85 cases of acute leukaemia were diagnosed in the paediatric oncology unit (including 51 cases of ALL), of which 34 cases of AML were included in this study. The majority were boys (59%). The mean age was 8 years, with extremes of 18 months and 15 years. The mean time to diagnosis was 68 days. In 79% of cases, patients were referred by 1st or 2nd level hospitals. Anaemia was observed in 91% of cases, an infectious syndrome in 68%, haemorrhage in 56% and a tumour syndrome in 85%. The haemogram showed hyperleukocytosis in 15% of cases, thrombocytosis in 22% and severe anaemia in 73%. Death occurred in 85% of cases, most often in the context of sepsis or haemorrhage. Conclusion: AML is probably underestimated in Mali and diagnosis delayed, which may be explained by patient-related factors (lack of knowledge, financial constraints) and a cumbersome referral system. These results suggest the need to implement an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategy, with strong involvement of the political authorities.

Fludarabine and cytarabine combined chemotherapy followed by transfusion of donor blood stem cells for treating relapse of acute leukaemia after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background Relapse remains an obstacle to successful allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation （allo-HSCT） for patients with acute leukaemia and no standard treatment is available. We assessed fludarabine and cytarabine with transfusion of donor haematopoietic stem cell in treating the relapse of acute leukaemia after allo-HSCT. Methods Seven patients, median age 34 years, with relapse of acute leukaemia after allo-HSCT received combination chemotherapy of fludarabine with cytarabine for 5 days. Five patients suffered from acute myeloid leukaemia （2 refractory） and 2 refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. After the transplantation, the median relapse time was 110 days （range, 38-185 days）. Two days after chemotherapy, 5 patients received infusion of donor＇s peripheral blood stem cells, mobilized by granulocyte colony stimulating factor. No prophylactic agents of graft versus host diseases were administered, Results Six patients achieved haematopoietic reconstitution. DNA sequence analysis at day 30 after treatment identified all as full donor chimera type. The median observation time was 189 days. After the treatment, the median time for neutrophilic granulocyte value 〉0.5×10^9/L and for platelet value 〉20×10^9/L were 13 days （range, 10-18 days） and 15 days （range, 11-24 days）, respectively. Graft versus host disease occurred in 2 patients （acute） and 3 （chronic）. Five patients suffered from pulmonary fungal infection （2 died）, 3 haemorrhagic cystitis and 2 cytomegalovirus viraemia. The other patients died of leukaemia related deaths. Three patients with chronic graft versus host disease who had received donor peripheral blood stem cells reinfusion have survived for 375 days, 232 days and 195 days, respectively. Conclusions Fludarabine with cytarabine plus the donor haematopoietic stem cell should be considered as an effective therapeutic regimen for relapse of acute leukaemia after alIo-HSCT. The disease free state of patients may increase, though with high risk of secondary fungal infection.

Clinical effectiveness of palifermin in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a case–control study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of palifermin, an N-terminal truncated version of endogenous keratinocyte growth factor, in the control of oral mucositis during antiblastic therapy. Twenty patients undergoing allogeneic stem-cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were treated with palifermin, and compared to a control group with the same number of subjects and similar inclusion criteria. Statistical analysis were performed to compare the outcomes in the treatment vs. control groups. In the treatment group, we found a statistically significant reduction in the duration of parenteral nutrition （P=0.002）, duration of mucositis （P= 0.003） and the average grade of mucositis （P= 0.03）. The statistical analysis showed that the drug was able to decrease the severity of mucositis. These data, although preliminary, suggest that palifermin could be a valid therapeutic adjuvant to improve the quality of life of patients suffering： from leukaemia.

Detection of Telomerase Activity and the Expression of Telomerase Subunits in the Patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia

Telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase subunits (for example, telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomerase associated protein 1 and telomerase RNA component) of peripheral white blood cells were detected in the patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) and the correlation between telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase subunits was observed. In 94 peripheral white blood cells from 18 healthy volunteers and 76 patients with AML, including 31 AML at initial presentation, 24 at relapse and 21 at complete remission, the telomerase activity and telomerase subunits mRNA or RNA were detected by PCR ELISA and RT PCR respectively. The results showed that the positive rate of telomerase from patients with AML at initial presentation, at relapse and at complete remission was 74.1 %, 79.2 % and 4.8 % respectively. The positive rate of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA from healthy volunteers, AML at initial presentation, AML at relapse and AML at complete remission was 5.6 %, 80.6 %, 83.3 % and 9.5 % respectively. The positive rate of telomerase associated protein 1 mRNA and telomerase RNA component in all samples were 100 %. It was suggested that the up regulation of telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase is correlated closely with the occurrence and relapse of AML, so telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase may be used to estimate the curative effect and predict relapse of AML. Moreover, the up regulation of telomerase activity is correlated with the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase significantly.

CLAG-M chemotherapy followed by umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation for primary refractory acute myeloid leukaemia in a child:A case report

BACKGROUND The prognosis of paediatric primary refractory/relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia(R/R AML)remains poor.Intensive therapy is typically used as salvage treatment for those with R/R AML.No data are currently available about the use of the CLAG-M protocol as salvage therapy in paediatric patients with R/R AML.CASE SUMMARY An 8-year-old patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia by bone marrow morphology and immunophenotype.The patient showed poor response to two cycles of induction therapy with 60%blast cells in the bone marrow after the second induction cycle.The patient achieved complete remission after being treated with the CLAG-M protocol as salvage therapy before undergoing umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation.Morphological complete remission with haematological recovery has hitherto been maintained over 4 mo.Abnormal gene mutations detected at diagnosis were undetectable after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.CONCLUSION Here we present a paediatric patient with primary refractory acute myeloid leukaemia who was successfully treated with the CLAG-M protocol.Given the positive results of the presented patient,large-scale clinical studies are required to assess the role of the CLAG-M protocol in the salvage treatment of refractory or relapsed AML in childhood.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation at Diagnosis in Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia

Background: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a life threatening complication frequently observed in acute leukemia. Among the morphological varieties of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL) is well established to cause DIC. But there have been reports noted that abnormal DIC parameters also commonly observed in the patients with non-APL AML. This study evaluated the DIC parameters & DIC score according to International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) in newly diagnosed non-APL AML patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Haematology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 48 newly diagnosed non-APL AML patients were enrolled. Platelets count was measured by auto analyzer (Sysmax XT 2000i/Pentra ABX-120DX) as well as checked manually. Prothrombin time, fibrinogen, D-Dimer were measured using STAGO Coagulation analyzer. The ISTH-DIC scoring system was used to calculate DIC score. The statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.0 for Windows. Chi-Square test & Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. Unpaired t-test was used to compare mean between groups. For all statistical tests, p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: By analyzing 48 newly diagnosed patients with non-APL AML, found that DIC developed in 14.6% patients at presentation. Among the DIC parameters, PT and D-dimer were significantly higher in patients presented with DIC. Patients with DIC exhibit lower expression of CD117, CD34, HLA-DR and statistically significant association with negative expression of HLA-DR (p-value 0.034). No significant association was found between presence of DIC and age, gender, bleeding at presentation, morphological type, WBC count or peripheral blast percentage. Conclusion: Abnormalities of DIC parameters in common in patients with AML. A significant portion of patients with DIC have no apparent symptom or bleeding. So, routine screening of DIC parameter at presentation is recommended for early diagnosis & effective management of DIC.

Successful Treatment of Spontaneous Rupture of the Spleen by Embolization of Splenic Artery in a Patient with Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia and COVID-19 Infection

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen (SRS) is a rare clinical entity with a potentially poor medical outcome. In most cases, SRS is caused by neoplastic disorder. Acute promyelocytic leukaemia is a rare but important cause of SRS that physicians are required to assess for. We present a 28-year-old woman with APL and COVID-19 pneumonia, who successfully underwent embolisation of the splenic artery for spontaneously occurring splenic rupture during induction chemotherapy. After the intervention the patient completed induction chemotherapy and achieved complete remission. Our case demonstrates that emergent transcatheter arterial embolisation can be lifesaving even in the unfavourable condition of a patient with severe immune deficiency.

Miller Fisher Syndrome Induced by Chemotherapy in Known Case of Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia: A Case Report

Introduction: Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute-onset autoimmune-mediated neuropathy. Guillain-Barre Syndrome can be divided into three subtypes: acute inflammatory demyelinating poly-radiculo-neuropathy (AIDP), acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), and acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN). About 20% of patients with GBS develop respiratory failure and require mechanical ventilation. We are presenting a variant of GBS (Miller Fisher Syndrome, or MFS), which has been confirmed by nerve conduction studies along with the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. The objective of this study is to present a rare case of chemotherapy-induced GBS. Important clinic findings: A 25-year-old gentleman with acute lymphocytic leukemia on active chemotherapy treatment presented with lower limb weakness. This weakness started after his fifth chemotherapy session. After the sixth chemotherapy, he developed complete paralysis of the left lower limb. Later, he developed right lower limb paralysis. He was also complaining of eye dryness and incomplete closure of both eyes. While inpatient, he developed upper-limb weakness. His chemotherapy consisted of MESNA, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, cyorabine, and methotrexate. He had ptosis and ophthalmoplegia in the left abducent and right oculomotor regions. He had bilateral facial nerve palsy. He was hypotonic with power grade 3 in the upper limbs and grade 0 in the lower limbs with areflexia. His sensation was intact in the upper limbs but lost in the lower limbs. His planter reflexes were mute. Diagnoses and Management: Intravenous immunoglobulins were given for 5 days. A nerve conduction study showed severe demyelinating sensorimotor polyradoculoneuropathy with secondary axonal loss. The triad of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and areflexia was consistent with MFS. The patient improved over the course of the hospital stay but did not reach full recovery. Conclusion: Although GBS is uncommon, it must be taken into account when making a differential diagnosis for any patient presenting with progressive weakness. Drug history is important in all GBS cases.

Clinical Efficacy of Decitabine/Azacitidine in Combination with HAG in the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This study was conducted to investigate the clinical effect of combining decitabine/azacitidine with HAG in the treatment of single elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia.Patients in Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital were selected for this study from January 2020 to January 2022,and all of the patients were elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia.Around 23 patients were selected for this study,subsequently the patients were divided into two groups;Group A contained 11 patients and was given decitabine in combination with HAG;and Group B contained 12 patients,and was given azacitidine in combination with HAG.This study showed that the treatment effective rates of patients in both groups were 90.91%and 58.33%,respectively,with a small difference(p>0.05)in the data comparison.The incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups was 63.64%and 16.67%,respectively,with the incidence in group B is significantly(p<0.05)lower compared with group A.Meanwhile,compared with group B,patients in group A had a significantly(p<0.05)shorter mean time to WBC normalization,higher HB and PLT levels,lower WBC levels were lower,all the survival duration times were longer,and subpopulation indicators of peripheral blood T lymphocytes were more in line with normal values.In summary,this study demonstrated that the combination of azacitidine and HAG therapies for the treatment of elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia is more effective,furthermore can reduce significantly the incidence of adverse treatment effects in patients.

FIRST STEP VIEW OF THE EFFICACY OF ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS

A human K562 leukaemia call and acute adult leudaemia patient samples have been used to test the efficacy of antineoplastic agents with MTT assay.All 18 drugs were invoved.According to the purpose of experiment these durgs were applied at different opportunities or combinations.The drug efficacy has been observed and summarized as four different conditions:1.the change of the time(△ T )closely related with drug effacacy, during the duration the change of drug concentration(△ C) at certain extent has almost no influence; 2the △ C closely related with the efficacy, the △ T has no influence;3. The △ C and △ T effect the results together;and 4.the △ C and △ T effect not the result. And then draw a conclution that the process or drug effacacy has a multiple function with flat distrtct.

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract induced mitochondria-associated apoptosis in human acute myeloid leukaemia 14.3D10 cells

The important aim in cancer treatment is the selective killing of cancer cells without damaging healthy cells and the most commonly used chemotherapy for eliminating cancer is achieved by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Therefore, identification of new agents that can selectively kill cancer cells becomes crucial in cancer clinical treatment.

Pathophysiology, clinical features and radiological findings of differentiation syndrome/all-trans-retinoic acid syndrome

In acute promyelocytic leukemia, differentiation thera-py based on all-trans-retinoic acid can be complicated by the development of a differentiation syndrome(DS). DS is a life-threatening complication, characterized by respiratory distress, unexplained fever, weight gain, interstitial lung infiltrates, pleural or pericardial effusions, hypotension and acute renal failure. The diagnosis of DS is made on clinical grounds and has proven to be difficult, because none of the symptoms is pathognomonic for the syndrome without any definitive diagnostic criteria. As DS can have subtle signs and symptoms at presentation but progress rapidly, end-stage DS clinical picture resembles the acute respiratory distress syndrome with extremely poor prognosis; so it is of absolute importance to be conscious of these complications and initiate therapy as soon as it was suspected. The radiologic appearance resembles the typical features of cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Diagnosis of DS remains a great skill for radiologists and haematologist but it is of an utmost importance the cooperation in suspect DS, detect the early signs of DS, examine the patients' behaviour and rapidly detect the complications.

Preclinical efficacy against acute myeloid leukaemia of SH1573, a novel mutant IDH2 inhibitor approved for clinical trials in China

Acute myeloid leukaemia(AML) is the most common form of acute leukaemia in adults,with increasing incidence with age and a generally poor prognosis.Almost 20% of AML patients express mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 2(mIDH2),which leads to the accumulation of the carcinogenic metabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate(2-HG),resulting in poor prognosis.Thus,global institutions have been working to develop mIDH2 inhibitors.SH1573 is a novel mIDH2 inhibitor that we independently designed and synthesised.We have conducted a comprehensive study on its pharmacodynamics,pharmacokinetics and safety.First,SH1573 exhibited a strong selective inhibition of mIDH2 R140 Q protein,which could effectively reduce the production of 2-HG in cell lines,serum and tumors of an animal model.It could also promote the differentiation of mutant AML cell lines and granulocytes in PDX models.Then,it was confirmed that SH1573 possessed characteristics of high bioavailability,good metabolic stability and wide tissue distribution.Finally,toxicological data showed that SH1573 had no effects on the respiratory system,cardiovascular system and nervous system,and was genetically safe.This research successfully promoted the approval of SH1573 for clinical trials(CTR20200247).All experiments demonstrated that,as a potential drug against mIDH2 R140 Q acute myeloid leukaemia,SH1573 was effective and safe.

Granulocytic sarcoma of the rectum:Report of one case that presented with rectal bleeding

Granulocytic sarcoma is an uncommon and localized extramedullary tumor composed of immature granu-locytic cells.It may present in association with acute myeloid leukaemia,myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic myelogenous leukaemia.Granulocytic sarcoma may occur in any anatomical site but involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is rare,especially in the rectum.We report on the case of a 17 year old female who presented with rectal bleeding,abdominal pain and weight loss one mo prior to admission.Recto-sigmoidoscopy revealed a rectal polypoid and ulcerated mass.The histological examination of the mass showed granulocytic sarcoma.Bone marrow examination was compatible with acute promyelocytic leukaemia(FABtype M3).This case report is a reminder of this peculiar sign of tumoral syndrome in acute myeloid leukaemia.We also discuss diagnostic methods and analyze the disease course.

Severe vulgaris psoriatic patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia and resolution after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation/ peripheral blood stem cell transplantation

Psoriasis is a common disease with a prevalence of up to 2% in the world population.~1 The pathophysiological mechanism of this inflammatory disease has not been determined although it is generally accepted to have a genetic predisposition and be T-cell mediated. The lymphocytes are the target of psoriatic therapeutic strategies. Therapy resolves psoriasis for a time, but induces some severe side effects. Some cases of severe psoriasis, treated with multiple therapeutic regimens for many years, developed leukemia.

Myeloid sarcoma with ulnar nerve entrapment:A case report

BACKGROUND Myeloid sarcoma(MS) is relatively rare,occurring mainly in the skin and lymph nodes,and MS invasion of the ulnar nerve is particularly unusual.The main aim of this article is to present a case of MS invading the brachial plexus,causing ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome,and to further clinical understanding of the possibility of MS invasion of peripheral nerves.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 46-year-old man with a 13-year history of well-treated acute nonlymphocytic leukaemia who was admitted to the hospital after presenting with numbness and pain in his left little finger.The initial diagnosis was considered a simple case of nerve entrapment disease,with magnetic resonance imaging showing slightly abnormal left brachial plexus nerve alignment with local thickening,entrapment,and high signal on compression lipid images.Due to the severity of the ulnar nerve compression,we surgically investigated and cleared the entrapment and nerve tissue hyperplasia;however,subsequent pathological biopsy results revealed evidence of MS.The patient had significant relief from his neurological symptoms,with no postoperative complications,and was referred to the haemato-oncology department for further consultation about the primary disease.This is the first report of safe treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment from MS.It is intended to inform hand surgeons that nerve entrapment may be associated with extramedullary MS,as a rare presenting feature of the disease.CONCLUSION MS invasion of the brachial plexus and surrounding tissues of the upper arm,resulting in ulnar nerve entrapment and degeneration with significant neurological pain and numbness in the little finger,is uncommon.Surgical treatment significantly relieved the patient’s nerve entrapment symptoms and prevented further neurological impairment.This case is reported to highlight the rare presenting features of MS.

Epidural spinal cord compression as initial clinical presentation of an acute myeloid leukaemia: case report and literature review

Epidural localization of myeloid leukaemia is rarely reported.Spinal cord compression as an initial presentation of acute myeloid leukaemia is extremely rare.This is a report of a 17-year-old black boy who presented to emergency department with neurological symptoms of spinal cord compression.Imaging modalities showed multiple soft tissue masses in the epidural space.After surgical treatment,histopathological examination of the epidural mass showed myeloid leukaemia cells infiltration.Literature review on Medline and 'scholar Google' database was done.The characteristics and management of extra-medullary leukaemia are discussed.Granulocytic sarcoma,myeloid sarcoma or chloroma with acute myeloid leukaemia should be considered as part of epidural spinal cord compression.Therefore surgery is indicated on an emergent basis.

Biochemical mechanisms implemented by human acute myeloid leukemia cells to suppress host immune surveillance

Acute myeloid leukaemia(AML)is a blood/bone marrow cancer originating from myeloid cell precusors capable of self-renewing.AML cells implement biochemical mechanisms which allow them not only to survive,but also to successfully escape immune surveillance.ln this work,we discuss crucial molecular mechanisms used by human AML cells in order to evade immune attack.

Single-cell analysis of transcription factor regulatory networks reveals molecular basis for subtype-specific dysregulation in acute myeloid leukemia

Highly heterogeneous acute myeloid leukemia(AML)exhibits dysregulated transcriptional programs.Transcription factor(TF)regulatory networks underlying AML subtypes have not been elucidated at single-cell resolution.Here,we comprehensively mapped malignancy-related TFs activated in different AML subtypes by analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data from AMLs and healthy donors.We first identified six modules of regulatory networks which were prevalently dysregulated in all AML patients.AML subtypes featured with different malignant cellular composition possessed subtype-specific regulatory TFs associated with differentiation suppression or immune modulation.At last,we validated that ERF was crucial for the development of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells by performing loss-and gain-of-function experiments in zebrafish embryos.Collectively,our work thoroughly documents an abnormal spectrum of transcriptional regulatory networks in AML and reveals subtype-specific dysregulation basis,which provides a prospective view to AML pathogenesis and potential targets for both diagnosis and therapy.