Bortezomib-Induced Bilateral Eye Swelling and Cutaneous Adverse Reaction in a Patient with Plasma Cell Leukemia—A Case Report

Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, is an established therapy against plasma cell leukemia—a variant of plasma cell dyscrasias. Its most frequent side effects have been listed as peripheral neuropathy, neuropathic pain, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal problems. Allergic skin reaction is a rarely documented side effect in patients receiving bortezomib-based chemotherapy. A combination therapy consisting of intravenous bortezomib, oral Revlimid tablets, and oral dexamethasone tablets has been prescribed for the patient after his recent diagnosis of plasma cell leukemia. While receiving his third treatment cycle, he developed an allergic reaction (skin rash) involving the neck, and wrists, and mild bilateral eye swelling. The infusion was stopped immediately and then ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution and oral diphenhydramine 25 mg were prescribed to the patient with significant improvement in his clinical condition. He was temporarily taken off bortezomib. At a follow-up visit a week later, a significant improvement was noticed in his condition. Rash had reduced on neck and wrists, and eye swelling had reduced as well. As of the time of writing this case report, he has been temporarily taken off bortezomib, but other medications in the treatment regimen were continued as prescribed.

From Myeloma to Plasma Cell Leukemia, Persistent Inequalities

Multiple myeloma (MM) is both a complex and heterogeneous disease. Cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities lead to resistance to treatment and transformation to plasma cell leukemia, which is defined by the presence in circulating blood of plasma cells over 2 G/L, or more than 20% of leukocytes. It is an uncommon hematological malignancy with a poor prognosis. Against this backdrop, we report an observation of multiple myeloma transformed into plasma cell leukemia diagnosed at the Hôpital Principal de Dakar (HPD) that occurred on a 64-year-old man with a history of thyroidectomy followed for multiple myeloma presenting with Salmon et Durie stage IIIA and ISS stage I. Despite a marked improvement in management strategy, myeloma remains an almost invariably incurable disease. However, the development of genetic and molecular biomarkers is necessary to improve its prognosis.

Venetoclax in combination with chidamide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory primary plasma cell leukemia without t(11;14):A case report

BACKGROUND Conventional therapies for primary plasma cell leukemia(pPCL)are usually ineffective,with a short remission time with the use of multiple myeloma medications,showing aggressiveness of pPCL.B-cell lymphoma-2 inhibitor venetoclax is usually used for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma(RRMM)with t(11;14).There are very few studies published on the use of venetoclax in pPCL without t(11;14).Similarly,histone deacetylase inhibitors are considered effective for the treatment of RRMM,but there are no reports on their use in pPCL.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old woman with severe anemia,thrombocytopenia,multiple bone destruction,impaired renal function,and 42.7%of peripheral plasma cells is reported.After multiple chemotherapy regimens and chimeric antigen receptor Tcell treatment,the disease progressed again.The patient had very good partial response and was maintained for a long time on venetoclax in combination with chidamide and dexamethasone therapy.CONCLUSION The success of venetoclax-chidamide-dexamethasone combination therapy in achieving a very good partial response suggested that it can be used for refractory/relapsed pPCL patients who have been exhausted with the use of various drug combinations and had poor survival outcomes.

PRIMARY PLASMA CELL LEUKEMIA(A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF 44 CASES)

Four cases of primary plasma cell leukemia (PPCL) admitted to Zhongshan Hospital from 1959 to 1987 are reported with a review on additional 40 cases reported in China. Comparing with the 57 cases of multiple myeloma (MM) treated in our hospital, the following features were observed in PPCL: (1) The age was younger, with a mean of 45.2 years, 34.1% of the patients were under 40 years. (2) Onset was abrupt. Duration from onset to diagnosis was 2 months or less in 77% patients but never beyond 6 months. (3) 81.8% patients had liver enlargement, 59.1% splenomegaly and 61.4% sternum tenderness. (4) All patients showed marked anemia with an average hemoglobin of 65 g/L. BPC count was less than 100 × 109/L in 76% patients and WBC was more than 10×109/L in 77%. (5) Plasma cell number in the marrow was markedly increased with an average of 69%, of which the blast cells and immature forms were predominant. (6) No destruction of bones was shown on X-ray film in 68.3% patients. (7) The response to chemotherapy was poor with a total response rate of 18% and a mean survival of 2 months. All the above-mentioned clinical features were significantly different from those of MM. In addition, these two diseases were also different in cytology, cytogenetics and ultrastructure. Therefore, PPCL should be considered as a special type of acute leukemia distinct from MM. High dose of alkylating agents in combination with autologous bone marrow transplantation might improve the prognoses.

Development of plasma cell dyscrasias in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia:A case report

BACKGROUND Chronic myeloid leukemia(CML)is a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder.Plasma cell dyscrasias are a rare heterogeneous group of hematological disorders.The co-occurrence of CML and plasma cell dyscrasias in the same patient is an extremely rare incident and has been reported in several cases in the literature.CASE SUMMARY In the present report,we described a rare case of the co-occurrence of CML and plasma cell dyscrasias in a 48-year-old man,and we discussed the reason why monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance progressed to smoldering multiple myeloma and eventually to multiple myeloma while being treated with dasatinib for CML.The tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment and cytogenetic change may contribute to this phenomenon,and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential may lead to both CML and multiple myeloma cells in a patient.Future studies are warranted to further explain the hidden reasons.CONCLUSION This case highlights that gene translocation may contribute to initiation and sustainability of clonal proliferation.Moreover,the treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor and cytogenetic change may contribute to progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to smoldering multiple myeloma and eventually to multiple myeloma.

Plasma Cell Leukemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

<span style="font-family:Verdana;">Plasma cell leukemia is a rare malignant hemopathy, characterized by a peripheral plasma cell proliferation of more than 20% of the leukocyte formula. A few rare cases have been described. From which we report a case of plasma cell leukemia in a 52-year-old Nigerien subject initially in a coma, whose anemia led to the diagnosis in the Onco-Hematology department of the National Hospital of Niamey and the evolution was marked by clinical and biological remission after 3 cures of CTD, but died in an infectious picture after 6 cures.

Three Cases of Plasma Cell Leukemia

Introduction: Plasma cell leukemia (PL) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by the monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the marrow and blood peripheral. It is defined by a blood plasmacytosis greater than 2 G/l or a plasma cell level greater than 20% of leukocytes. It can be primitive or secondary to multiple myeloma (MM). We reported 3 cases of PL. Observations: Case 1: A 59 years old woman with fever, anemia with 7 g/dl, hyperleukocytosis 9200/mm3, thrombopenia 86 G/l inflammatory biological syndrome with CRP at 129 mg/l, hypercalcemia at 120 mg/l, renal failure with serum creatinine at 35 mg/l, urea at 0.85 g/l and 24-hour proteinuria at 0.98 g/24h. Β2 microglobulin at 10.34 mg/l. The blood smear shows dysmorphic plasma cells at 68% and the bone marrow at 79% of dysmorphic plasma cells. The immunophenotyping of blood cells, the electrophoretic serum protein, shows PL CD38+, secondary of a MM LAMBDA. Case 2: A 65-year-old man with type 2 diabetes presented, right femoral neck, anemia, hyperleukocytosis at 22 G/l, and thrombocytopenia at 99 G/l. There was no hypercalcemia, or kidney failure. The blood smear showed 28% of plasma cells and 9% of blasts. On the myelogram, the marrow was normal richness with significant medullary plasmacytosis (31%) made up of dysmorphic plasma cells. The CT scan showed a settling of the body of D5 with heterogeneous osteocondensation. The patient was transferred to hematology where she was treated with polychemotherapy. The evolution was unfavorable following a death due to malignant hypercalcemia. Case 3: A 62-year-old woman who had a 5-year follow-up of Ig G kappa multiple myeloma was treated with Melphalan, Prednisone, and thalidomide with a therapeutic break for 2 months. She came back to the Internal Medicine department with: severe global dehydration, anemia with externalized bleeding gingivorrhagia, pain in mechanical bones of the ribs, lower limbs, and pelvis, bilateral pneumonia. The biology found hyperleukocytosis at 99 G/l, anemia at 4.7 g/dl, thrombocytopenia at 31 g/l, hypercalcemia at 190 mg/l, renal failure with creatinine at 34 mg/L, and urea at 1.08 g/l, a biological inflammatory syndrome with CRP 294 mg/l. The smeared blood had shown 93% blood plasma cells and immunophenotyping showed CD38+. The patient died before specific treatment for the disease. Conclusion: Plasma cell leukemia is a rare atypical variant, complicating essentially multiple light chain myeloma. She must be suspected especially when there are cytological abnormalities such as major leukocytosis or thrombocytopenia, which are unusual in classical myeloma. Evolution is usually a very bad prognosis, with a median survival of 12 to 14 months for the form primary and 2 to 3 months for the secondary form.

Plasma cell leukemia-one in a million: A case report

BACKGROUND Plasma cell leukemia(PCL) is diagnosed by the presence of an absolute plasma cell count of > 2 × 109/L or 20% plasma cells in the peripheral blood. Because the incidence of PCL is relatively low, our case report study presents a rare opportunity to describe the clinical and pathological characteristics of this leukemia, as well as different modalities of treatment and outcomes of primary PCL(pPCL).CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old male with a history of hypertension complained of pain in the left flank area which started four months prior to admission. On admission, his vital signs were stable, and physical examination was completely benign. Laboratory evaluation showed hemoglobin of 5.1 g/dL, white blood cell count of 6.6 cells per cubic millimeter with 16% atypical lymphocytes, and platelet count of 51000 per microliter. Peripheral smear showed more than 10%-15% of plasma cells(Figure1), and flow cytometry of peripheral blood confirmed PCL with 24% plasma cells CD138+. Bone marrow biopsy demonstrated 80% plasma cells(38+, 138+, 117+,10-, 19-, 20-, 56-) with 90% cellularity. The Oncology team was consulted, and VCD therapy was started. After completing therapy at 1, 4, 8, and 11 d, the patient was discharged home. The patient was being considered for a bone marrow transplant evaluation within two months of discharge.CONCLUSION PCL is a rare and aggressive form of leukemia with a poor prognosis. Multicenter studies and clinical trials should be conducted to develop accurate criteria for the initial diagnosis and prompt treatment of this disease.

Haploidentical stem cell transplantation used in treating primary plasma cell leukemia: a case report

Here we report a successful protocol in treatment of a patient with primary plasma cell leukemia (PPCL) using haploidentical stem cell transplantation (hi-HSCT). During first complete remission after routine chemotherapy, the patient received autologous blood stem cell transplantation, but he had relapse later. He gained a second CR after chemotherapy and underwent hi-HSCT from his daughter, who had HLA mismatched at three loci. Recovery of hemopoiesis was found at day 14 and complete donor chimerism was confirmed by PCR-STR on day 34, 95 and 238. The patients have survived disease-free for 56 months since hi-HSCT, without serious graft-versus-host-disease.

Non-canonical BRAF variants and rearrangements in hairy cell leukemia

Hairy cell leukemia(HCL)is an uncommon mature B-cell malignancy characterized by a typical morphology,immunophenotype,and clinical profile.The vast majority of HCL patients harbor the canonical BRAF V600E mutation which has become a rationalized target of the subsequently deregulated RAS-RAF-MEK-MAPK signaling pathway in HCL patients who have relapsed or who are refractory to front-line therapy.However,several HCL patients with a classical phenotype display non-canonical BRAF mutations or rearrangements.These include sequence variants within alternative exons and an oncogenic fusion with the IGH gene.Care must be taken in the molecular diagnostic work-up of patients with typical HCL but without the BRAF V600E to include investigation of these uncommon mechanisms.Identification,functional characterization,and reporting of further such patients is likely to provide insights into the pathogenesis of HCL and enable rational selection of targeted inhibitors in such patients if required.

Gossypol acetic acid regulates leukemia stem cells by degrading LRPPRC via inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling or resulting mitochondrial dysfunction

BACKGROUND Leukemia stem cells(LSCs)are found to be one of the main factors contributing to poor therapeutic effects in acute myeloid leukemia(AML),as they are protected by the bone marrow microenvironment(BMM)against conventional therapies.Gossypol acetic acid(GAA),which is extracted from the seeds of cotton plants,exerts anti-tumor roles in several types of cancer and has been reported to induce apoptosis of LSCs by inhibiting Bcl2.AIM To investigate the exact roles of GAA in regulating LSCs under different microenvironments and the exact mechanism.METHODS In this study,LSCs were magnetically sorted from AML cell lines and the CD34+CD38-population was obtained.The expression of leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein(LRPPRC)and forkhead box M1(FOXM1)was evaluated in LSCs,and the effects of GAA on malignancies and mitochondrial RESULTS LRPPRC was found to be upregulated,and GAA inhibited cell proliferation by degrading LRPPRC.GAA induced LRPPRC degradation and inhibited the activation of interleukin 6(IL-6)/janus kinase(JAK)1/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)3 signaling,enhancing chemosensitivity in LSCs against conventional chemotherapies,including L-Asparaginase,Dexamethasone,and cytarabine.GAA was also found to downregulate FOXM1 indirectly by regulating LRPPRC.Furthermore,GAA induced reactive oxygen species accumulation,disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis,and caused mitochondrial dysfunction.By inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling via degrading LRPPRC,GAA resulted in the elimination of LSCs.Meanwhile,GAA induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell damage by causing mitochondrial damage.CONCLUSION Taken together,the results indicate that GAA might overcome the BMM protective effect and be considered as a novel and effective combination therapy for AML.

Selinexor, Carfilzomib, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone as a Salvage Regimen for Refractory and Relapsed Multiple Myeloma with Plasma-Cell Leukemia Transformation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma (RRMM) with plasma-cell leukemia (PCL) transformation is highly aggressive and resistant to conventional therapy. Novel therapeutics are needed for RRMM-transformed PCL. Selinexor [an oral exportin 1 (XPO1) inhibitor], carfilzomib (a second-in-class proteasome inhibitor), pomalidomide (third generation of immunomodulatory drug) are usually used for RRMM, but there are no reports on their application in PCL transformation. We describe a 62-year-old male initially diagnosed with MM IgD-lambda type with complex karyotype and extramedullary plasmacytoma in 2020, and relapsed after five months of autologous stem cell transplantation. Despite the use of various therapies, the patient rapidly developed into PCL over a 4-month period. The patient was started on selinexor, carfilzomib, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (XKPd) combination as a salvage regimen in July 2021. He achieved fast response in first cycle. Then, he fulfilled third cycle of consolidation treatment and got four-month remission. The success of XKPd therapy in achieving a good response suggests its utility in RRMM transformed-PCL patients, who have exhausted various combinations of drug regimens and have historically poor survival outcomes.

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia: An overview of obstacles and opportunities

As an important treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT) plays an important role in reducing relapse and improving long-term survival. With rapid advancements in basic research in molecular biology and immunology and with deepening understanding of the biological characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells, allo-HSCT has been widely applied in clinical practice. During allo-HSCT, preconditioning, the donor, and the source of stem cells can be tailored to the patient’s conditions, greatly broadening the indications for HSCT, with clear survival benefits. However, the risks associated with allo-HSCT remain high, i.e. hematopoietic reconstitution failure, delayed immune reconstitution, graft-versus-host disease, and posttransplant relapse, which are bottlenecks for further improvements in allo-HSCT efficacy and have become hot topics in the field of HSCT. Other bottlenecks recognized in the current treatment of individuals diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and subjected to allo-HSCT include the selection of the most appropriate conditioning regimen and post-transplantation management. In this paper, we reviewed the progress of relevant research regarding these aspects.

Co-existing squamous cell carcinoma and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with ASXL1 and EZH2 gene mutations:A case report

BACKGROUND Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia(CMML),a rare clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder characterized by myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative neoplasms,has a generally poor prognosis,and easily progresses to acute myeloid leukemia.The simultaneous incidence of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors is extremely low,and CMML coinciding with lung malignancies is even rarer.Here,we report a case of CMML,with ASXL1 and EZH2 gene mutations,combined with non-small cell lung cancer(lung squamous cell carcinoma).CASE SUMMARY A 63-year-old male,suffering from toothache accompanied by coughing,sputum,and bloody sputum for three months,was given a blood test after experiencing continuous bleeding resulting from a tooth extraction at a local hospital.Based on morphological results,the patient was diagnosed with CMML and bronchoscopy was performed in situ to confirm the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma in the lower lobe of the lung.After receiving azacitidine,programmed cell death protein 1,and platinum-based chemotherapy drugs,the patient developed severe myelosuppression and eventually fatal leukocyte stasis and dyspnea.CONCLUSION During the treatment and observation of CMML and be vigilant of the growth of multiple primary malignant tumors.

Circ_0012152 Accelerates Acute Myeloid Leukemia Progression through the miR-652-3p/SOX4 Axis

Objective Acute myeloid leukemia(AML)is an aggressive hematological malignancy characterized by abnormal myeloid blast expansion.Recent studies have demonstrated that circular RNAs play a role in AML pathogenesis.In this study,we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of circ_0012152 in AML and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanism in the pathogenesis of this condition.Methods Circ_0012152 expression was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in samples obtained from 247 patients with AML and 40 healthy controls.A systematic analysis of clinical characteristics and prognostic factors was also conducted.Cell growth was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and apoptosis and cell cycle progression were evaluated by flow cytometry.Moreover,RNA pull-down was performed to identify target microRNAs,and transcriptome RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were utilized to identify downstream mRNA targets.Results Circ_0012152 was significantly upregulated in samples from patients with AML and served as an independent adverse prognostic factor for overall survival(OS)(hazard ratio:2.357;95%confidence interval 1.258–4.415).The circ_0012152 knockdown reduced cell growth,increased apoptosis,and inhibited cell cycle progression in AML cell lines.RNA pull-down and sequencing identified miR-652-3p as a target microRNA of circ_0012152.Cell growth inhibition by circ_0012152 knockdown was significantly relieved by miR-652-3p inhibitors.We suggested that miR-652-3p targeted SOX4,as the decrease in SOX4 expression resulting from circ_0012152 knockdown was upregulated by miR-652-3p inhibitors in AML cells.Conclusion Circ_0012152 is an independent poor prognostic factor for OS in AML,and it promotes AML cell growth by upregulating SOX4 through miR-652-3p.

The Role of Mitochondrial VDAC2 in the Survival and Proliferation of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

Background: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with aberrant T-cell developmental arrest. Individuals with relapsed T-ALL have limited therapeutic alternatives and poor prognosis. The mitochondrial function is critical for the T-cell viability. The voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) in the mitochondrial outer membrane, interacts with pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins and mediates the apoptosis of several cancer cell lines. Objective: The aim of the current study is to explore the role of VDAC2 in T-ALL cell survival and proliferation. Methods: Publicly available datasets of RNA-seq results were analyzed for expression of VDAC isoforms and T-ALL cell lines were treated with a VDAC2 small molecular inhibitor erastin. A VDAC2 RNA interference (siRNA) was delivered to T-ALL cell lines using a retroviral vector. Functional assays were performed to investigate the VDAC2 siRNA impacts on cell proliferation, apoptosis and survival of T-ALL cells. Results: Our analysis found a high expression of VDAC2 mRNA in various T-ALL cell lines. Public datasets of T-ALL RNA-seq also showed that VDAC2 is highly expressed in T-ALL (116.2 ± 36.7), compared to control groups. Only two T-ALL cell lines showed sensitivity to erastin (20 μM) after 48 hours of incubation, including Jurkat (IC50 = 3.943 μM) and Molt4 (IC50 = 3.286 μM), while another two T-ALL cells (CUTLL1 and RPMI 8402) had unstable IC50. However, five T-ALL cell lines (LOUCY, CCRF-CEM, P12-ICHI, HPB-ALL, and PEER cells) showed resistance to erastin. On the contrary, all T-ALL cell lines genetically inhibited with VDAC2 siRNA led to more than 80% decrease in VDAC2 mRNA levels, and a Conclusion: VDAC2 is highly expressed in T-ALL cells. The inhibition of VDAC2 significantly decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation and caused cell cycle sub-G1 arrest of T-ALL cells.

Multiple Myeloma: Modification and Adaptation of Plasma Cell Morphology Algorithm for the Prognosis of Congolese Patient

Objectives: To determine the multiple myeloma (MM) prognostic formulas applicable in Congolese with many aberrant and/or immature plasma cells according to GOASGUEN’s plasma cell morphology algorithm (PMA). Methods: The prospective, observational and descriptive study was carried out at the Ngaliema Clinic in Kinshasa from July 2016 to December 2019. The variables studied were the plasma cell types and the prognosis groups according to GOASGUEN and ZANDECKI. The nucleolus, the chromatin and the N/C ratio of 2 for each plasma cell encountered in multiple myeloma are examined in order by asking three successive questions as follows: 1) Is the nucleolus present? If yes, we denote 1;if not, note 0;2) Is the chromatin thin? If yes, we score 1;if not we score 0;3) The N/C ratio is greater than 6, if so, 1 is noted;if not, we note 0. We obtain a number with 3 successive digits preceded by the letter P for each plasma cell. Results: The overall rate of immature plasma cells and aberrant plasma cells in MM among Congolese was high at 26.6%. Their integration in the prognostic formulas showed for group A" = 22 patients, group B" = 5 patients and group C" = 32 patients. Examination of plasma cell types in the deceased showed that 14/17 had a P001 plasma cell count ≥ 15%. Conclusion: The high rate of aberrant and/or immature plasma cells, the P001 plasma cell type at a rate ≥ 15%, found mostly in group C" with poor prognosis, are responsible for the aggressive nature of MM in Congolese Blacks.

THE ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDY OF NON－HODGKIN＇S LYMPHOMA CELL，CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC AND HAIRY CELL LEUKEMIA

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell leukemia (NHLCL),chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and hairy cell leukemia (HLC) are the diseases very similar to each other. The differential diagnosis is very difficult,especially when there are small lymphoid cells in Periphcral blood and bone marrow under light microscope. We have observed 34 cases with electron microscope. The studies were correlated with clinical manifestation, cytology, pathology and immunologic histochemistry. Ultrastructural features strongly indicated the difference in three various diseases, although all the immunologic markers showed B-cell type.It is concluded that electron microscopic examination is of a definite significance in the diaguosis and successful treatment.

Resveratrol-downregulated Phosphorylated Liver Kinase B1 Is Involved in Senescence of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells

Summary： Senescence is an important obstacle to cancer development. Engaging a senescent response may be an effective way to cure acute myeloid leukemia （AML）. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of resveratrol-downregulated phosphorylated liver kinase B1 （pLKB1） on the senescence of acute myeloid leukemia （AML） stem cells. The protein expressions of pLKB 1 and Sirtuin 1 （SIRT1）, a regulator ofpLKB1, were measured in CD34＋CD38-KGla cells treated with resveratrol （40 μmol/L） or not by Western blotting. Senescence-related factors were examined, including p21 mRNA tested by real-time PCR, cell morphology by senescence-associated β-galactosidase （SA-β-gal） staining, cell pro- liferation by MTT assay and cell cycle by flow cytometry. Besides, apoptosis was flow cytometrically determined. The results showed that pLKB1 was highly expressed in CD34＋CD38- KGla cells, and resveratrol, which could downregulate pLKB1 through activation of SIRT1, induced senescence and apoptosis of CD34＋CD38- KGla cells. It was concluded that resveratrol-downregulated pLKB1 is in- volved in the senescence of AML stem cells.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with acute leukemia

Objective： The purposes of this study were to assess the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation （HSCT） for acute leukemia （AL） and analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of these patients. Methods： The clinical and follow-up data of 93 AL patients （median age, 30 years） undergoing allogeneic HSCT in Xiangya Hospital over the past 12 years were collected, and the potential factors affecting the efficacy and prognosis of allogeneic HSCT patients were determined. Results： Hematopoietic reconstitution was achieved in 90 patients. At the last follow-up, the incidences of severe acute graft versus host disease （aGvHD） and extensive chronic GvHD （cGvHD） were 14.0% and 20.0%, the 3-year cumulative incidence of transplantation related mortality （TRM） and relapse rate were 16.8%±6.1% and 21.3%±6.7%, and the estimated 3-year overall survival （OS） and disease-free survival （DFS） of the patients were 64.6%±5.4% and 56.5%±5.5%, respectively. Univariate analysis indicated that age older than 40 years, HLA mismatch, and severe lung infection within the first 100 days after transplantation were risk factors for severe aGvHD, age older than 40 years, HLA mismatch, severe lung infection within the first 100 days after transplantation, and severe aGvHD were risk factors for TRM, high-risk AL and lack of cGvHD were risk factors for relapse （all P〈0.05）. Survival estimation showed that HLA mismatch, severe lung infection occurring within the first 100 days post-transplantation, high-risk AL severe aGvHD and lack of cGvHD were risk factors associated with poor prognosis （all P〈0.05）. Further multivariate analyses revealed that severe lung infection within the first 100 days post-transplantation, severe aGvHD and lack of cGvHD were independent risk factors for unfavorable outcomes （all P〈0.05）. Conclusions： Allogeneic HSCT can improve the DFS of AL patients, and severe lung infection within the first 100 days post-transplantation, severe aGvHD and lack of cGvHD are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis.