Primary myelodysplastic syndromes: analysis of prognostic factors in 235 patients and proposals for an improved scoring system.

In an attempt to identify prognostic factors for survival and leukemic transformation, 235 untreated patients with primary myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were analyzed in a single center retrospective study. To the well known FAB classification of MDS a supplementary group of patients with pure sideroblastic anemia (PSA) was added, characterized by the absence of dysplastic features of non-erythroid cells. Accordingly, the morphological subtypes were refractory anemia (RA), n = 55; PSA, n = 40; RA with ring sideroblasts (RARS), n = 33; RA with excess of blasts (RAEB), n = 53; RAEB in transformation (RAEB/T) n = 29; and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), n = 25. Having screened 28 clinical, cytological, and laboratory parameters by univariate analysis, multiple regression analysis identified six variables with independent prognostic value: percentage of bone marrow blasts, serum LDH activity, PSA, hemoglobin concentration, age, and platelet count. If patients with PSA were excluded, the FAB classification no longer contributed independent prognostic information. Based on the results of this multivariate analysis, a simple scoring system was devised for predicting the survival of patients with MDS. A score of unity was allocated to each of the following parameters: bone marrow blasts greater than or equal to 5%, LDH greater than 200 U/I, hemoglobin less than or equal to 9 g/dl, and platelets less than or equal to 100 x 10(9)/I. As a function of their total score, patients were divided into three risk groups (group A, score 0; group B, score 1-2; group C, score 3-4), which differed significantly in both survival and rates of leukemic transformation. The cumulative survival 2 years after diagnosis was 91% in group A, 52% in group B, and 9% in group C (p less than 0.00005). The actuarial risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia at 2 years was 0, 19, and 54%, respectively (p less than 0.05). The inclusion of LDH enzyme levels qualified this scoring system for an accurate assessment of patients with CMML whose prognosis is viewed too favorably when rated by other scores. Furthermore, this score was able to identify those patients with RA and RARS who, without showing an excess of marrow blasts, have an unfavorable prognosis.     

Analysis of WHO-Based Prognostic Scoring System （WPSS） of Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Its Comparison with International Prognostic Scoring System （IPSS） in 100 Chinese Patients

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the prognostic significance of WHO-based Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS) in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) from a single center institute and to compare WPSS with the international prognostic scoring system (IPSS).Methods: A total of 100 cases with de novo MDS were reviewed and their karyotypes were detected. All of them were followed up and classified according to IPSS and WPSS risk groups. SPSS 13.0 software was applied to deal with all the data. The statistical methods included Kaplan - Meier, Log-rank test and cox regression.Results: Multivariate cox regression analysis indicated that WHO Classification (P=0.0190), karyotype abnormalities categorized according to IPSS (P=0.0159) and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion (P=0.0009) were the three most important independent factors for predicting overall survival (OS) of MDS. WPSS and IPSS both had great capacity in predicting the OS of MDS at the time of diagnosis (P<0.0001). In time-dependent analysis, WPSS can predict the OS accurately in the following three years after diagnosis (P<0.0001), while IPSS failed to predict the OS 24 months after diagnosis (P=0.1094).Conclusion: Our single center results proved that WPSS is a dynamic prognostic system which can predict the OS of MDS patients at any time during the course of their disease. This time-dependent prognostic scoring system may replace the IPSS in the near future.     

Update on developments in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): consensus statements and report from an expert workshop

Several new treatments for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have recently become available, or are in development. Patients who could benefit from active treatment must be effectively identified and followed up. Therefore, guidelines for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of MDS need to be kept up to date with technological and scientific advances. An expert workshop was convened to review currently available and emerging diagnostic technologies and developments in prognostic classification systems, to ensure appropriate management of individual patients. The panel also provided suggestions to ensure adherence to guidelines and highlighted the mandatory requirement for cytogenetic evaluation in patients with MDS.     

A population-based study of survival in patients with secondary myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): impact of type and treatment of primary cancers

Objective Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) following treatment with chemotherapy or irradiation are termed ‘secondary’ MDS. Clinical observations suggest a worse prognosis for secondary than for primary MDS, but differences in survival have not been studied in a general population sample. Methods We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program to describe survival in MDS patients according to previous cancer diagnosis. Our study included 3,938 MDS cases diagnosed in 2001–2004 and reported by registries which have participated in SEER since the 1970s. Results A previous cancer diagnosis (26% of MDS cases) was associated with 13% increased risk of death from any cause among MDS cases (hazard ratio [HR]=1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.25). Radiation treatment for a previous cancer was associated with 52% increased risk of death (95% CI: 1.15–2.02). Shortened survival was most pronounced if the latency between the previous cancer and MDS was less than five years, including lung cancer diagnosed in the year preceding MDS (HR = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.93–6.10) and lymphohematopoietic cancer 1–5 years before MDS (HR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.33–3.36). Conclusions Our results confirm a more severe prognosis for secondary MDS than for primary MDS, associated with certain types and treatments of previous cancer. Financial support: Dr. De Roos’ and Dr. Davis’ work was supported by a grant from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute (NO1-PC-55020-20), and Dr. Deeg’s work was supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (HL36444 and HL082941).     

Clinical, morphological, cytogenetic, and prognostic features of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and del(5q) including band q31.

We analyzed data of 76 consecutive patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and isolated del(5q) (n=66) or del(5q) plus one additional chromosomal abnormality (n=10) included in our MDS database over the last 26 years. The median age of our patient population was 66.8 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.7. In all, 14 patients (18%) had advanced MDS with an increased medullary blast count. A total of 17 patients (22%) had significant dysplasia in the nonmegakaryocytic cell lines. Nearly half of the study population showed erythroid hypoplasia in the bone marrow. The projected median survival of patients with isolated del(5q) is 146 months for a median follow-up of 67 months. Patients with an increased medullary blast count and those with an additional chromosomal abnormality have a significantly shorter overall survival (24 and 45 months, respectively) than patients with isolated del(5q). We did not find survival differences for different cytogenetic breakpoints, nor did the amount of dysplasia have an impact on survival in our population. In total, 29 patients have died. Deaths occurred primarily due to transformation into acute leukemia, infection, or cardiac failure. Our data support the current definition of a separate entity of MDS with del(5q) that has been suggested by the World Health Organization.     

Pharmacokinetics of decitabine administered as a 3-h infusion to patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)

Purpose In this study, pharmacokinetics (PK) of decitabine administered as a 3-h intravenous infusion of 15 mg/m² every 8 h for 3 days (cycles repeated every 6 weeks) was evaluated in patients with MDS or AML. Methods The PK of this dosing regimen was evaluated in sixteen patients with MDS or AML. Plasma samples were obtained pre-dose and during the first 8-h dosing interval on each dosing day during Cycle 1, and at pre-dose and just prior to the end of infusion during Cycle 2. PK samples were assayed for decitabine by a sensitive and specific validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. Results The mean maximum observed plasma concentration (C _max), 64.8–77.0 ng/ml, and the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC_0-∞), 152–163 ng h/ml, were unchanged during dosing of decitabine for 3 days. The time to the maximum concentration (T _max) generally occurred at the end of infusion. The mean values for terminal phase elimination half-life (0.62–0.78 h), total body clearance (125–132 l/h per m²), and volume of distribution at steady state (62.7–89.2 l/m²), remained unchanged during the every 8 h dosing (P > 0.05). Cycles 1 and 2 C _max values for days 1, 2, and 3 were not significantly different as determined by paired two-tailed t test (P > 0.05). The primary toxicity of decitabine was myelosuppression, which was observed in all patients. Two deaths, from sepsis, were considered possibly related to decitabine. Conclusions Decitabine dosed at 15 mg/m² iv every 8 h for 3 days resulted in a predictable and manageable toxicity profile in patients with MDS/AML. The repeated dosing did not result in systemic accumulation of the drug, and decitabine PK remained unchanged from cycle to cycle.     

Development of a scoring system for predicting primary resistance to venetoclax plus hypomethylating agents (HMAs) in acute myeloid leukemia patients

In recent years, one of the most promising advances in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the combination of a hypomethylating agent (HMA) with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax (VEN). To better understand the key factors associated with the response of VEN plus HMA, 212 consecutive AML patients were retrospectively recruited to establish and validate a scoring system for predicting the primary resistance to VEN-based induced therapy. All AML patients were divided randomly into a training set (n = 155) and a validation set (n = 57). Factors were selected using a multivariate logistic regression model, including FAB-M5, myelodysplastic syndrome-secondary acute myeloid leukemia (MDS-sAML), RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and FLT3-ITD mutation (FLT3-ITDm). A nomogram was then constructed including all these four predictors. The nomogram both presented a good performance of discrimination and calibration, with a C-index of 0.770 and 0.733 in the training and validation set. Decision curve analysis also indicated that the nomogram was feasible to make beneficial decisions. Eventually a total scoring system of 8 points was developed, which was divided into three risk groups: low-risk (score 0–2), medium-risk (score 3–4), and high-risk (score 5–8). There was a significant difference in the nonremission (NR) rate of these three risk groups (22.8% vs. 60.0% vs. 77.8%, p < 0.001). After adjustment of the other variables, patients in medium- or high-risk groups also presented a worse event-free survival (EFS) than that in the low-risk group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.62, p = 0.03). In conclusion, we highlighted the response determinants of AML patients receiving a combination therapy of VEN plus HMAs. The scoring system can be used to predict the resistance of VEN, providing better guidance for clinical treatment.     

Clinical auditing as an instrument to improve care for patients with ovarian cancer: The Dutch Gynecological Oncology Audit (DGOA)

IntroductionThe Dutch Gynecological Oncology Audit (DGOA) was initiated in 2014 to serve as a nationwide audit, which registers the four most prevalent gynecological malignancies. This study presents the first results of clinical auditing for ovarian cancer in the Netherlands.MethodsThe Dutch Gynecological Oncology Audit is facilitated by the Dutch Institute of Clinical Auditing (DICA) and run by a scientific committee. Items are collected through a web-based registration based on a set of predefined quality indicators. Results of quality indicators are shown, and benchmarked information is given back to the user. Data verification was done in 2016.ResultsBetween January 01, 2014 and December 31, 2018, 6535 patients with ovarian cancer were registered. The case ascertainment was 98.3% in 2016. The number of patients with ovarian cancer who start therapy within 28 days decreased over time from 68.7% in 2014 to 62.7% in 2018 (p < 0.001). The percentage of patients with primary cytoreductive surgery decreased over time (57.8%–39.7%, P < 0.001). However, patients with complete primary cytoreductive surgery improved over time (53.5%–69.1%, P < 0.001). Other quality indicators did not significantly change over time.ConclusionThe Dutch Gynecological Oncology Audit provides valuable data on the quality of care on patients with ovarian cancer in the Netherlands. Data show variation between hospitals with regard to pre-determined quality indicators. Results of ‘best practices’ will be shared with all participants of the clinical audit with the aim of improving quality of care nationwide.     

The presence of an HLA-identical sibling donor has no impact on outcome of patients with high-risk MDS or secondary AML (sAML) treated with intensive chemotherapy followed by transplantation: results of a prospective study of the EORTC, EBMT, SAKK and GIMEMA Leukemia Groups (EORTC study 06921).

This report used the framework of a large European study to investigate the outcome of patients with and without an HLA-identical sibling donor on an intention-to-treat basis. After a common remission-induction and consolidation course, patients with an HLA-identical sibling donor were scheduled for allogeneic transplantation and patients lacking a donor for autologous transplantation. In all, 159 patients alive at 8 weeks from the start of treatment were included in the present analysis. In total, 52 patients had a donor, 65 patients did not have a donor and in 42 patients the availability of a donor was not assessed. Out of 52 patients, 36 (69%) with a donor underwent allogeneic transplantation (28 in CR1). Out of 65 patients, 33 (49%) received an autograft (27 in CR1). The actuarial survival rates at 4 years were 33.3% (s.e. = 6.7%) for patients with a donor and 39.0% (s.e. = 6.5%) for patients without a donor (P = 0.18). Event-free survival rates were 23.1% (s.e. = 6.2%) and 21.5% (s.e. = 5.3%), respectively (P = 0.66). Correction for alternative donor transplants did not substantially alter the survival of the group without a donor. Also, the survival in the various cytogenetic risk groups was not significantly different when comparing the donor vs the no-donor group. This analysis shows that patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and secondary acute myeloid leukemia may benefit from both allogeneic and autologous transplantation. We were unable to demonstrate a survival advantage for patients with a donor compared to patients without a donor.