0000000000033887
AUTHOR
Mathias Freund
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Versus Tandem High-Dose Melphalan for Front-Line Treatment of Deletion 13q14 Myeloma – An Interim Analysis of the German DSMM V Trial.
Abstract Abstract 51 Background Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo SCT), a treatment modality based on transfer of immunocompetent donor lymphocytes offers curative potential to subjects with a variety of hematological cancers. In multiple myeloma (MM), high-dose melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (auto SCT) is adopted as a standard of care. However, it remains palliative since virtually all patients (pts) relapse and renders allo SCT an option of interest. Deletion of chromosome 13q14 (13q-) in MM has been shown to negatively impact prognosis. Therefore, improvement of therapy for 13q- pts is highly desirable. Patients and methods A prospective two-arm multi…
Salvage Therapy of Adult ALL
In a first study (1986 to 1992) the German Relapsing ALL Study Group (GRALLSG) has treated 67 adult patients with a first relapse of ALL. A first phase of induction consisted of vindesine, daunorubicin, asparaginase, and prednisone, a second phase of high-dose cytosine-arabinoside (Hd ara-C) and VP16. Results: 45 CR, 2 PR, 13 failures, 7 early death. 25 patients received a BMT. 10 had an allogeneic BMT in CR, 5 after another relapse or with refractory disease. Of 10 with autologous BMT 8 have been in 2nd CR. Only 4 of all 67 patients are surviving without relapse: One after unrelated BMT (36+mo), two after autologous BMT in 2nd CR (46+, 64+mo), and one after chemotherapy (61+mo). One patien…
Effects of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on Tumor Control in Patients with Cancer-Induced Anemia
It is well recognized that anemia-induced tumor hypoxia is associated with a reduced sensitivity of tumors to radiation and some forms of chemotherapy. Thus, the correction of lower hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) can play an essential role by improving tumor oxygenation. Based on evidence from a number of trials, treatment with rHuEPO will effectively ameliorate anemia and improve quality of life. However, one of the most essential prerequisites for achieving this benefit is the use of rHuEPO in agreement with the evidence-based ASCO/ASH-guidelines recommending a target Hb concentration of 12 g/dl (7.44 mmol/l).
Dynamics of BCR-ABL mRNA expression in first-line therapy of chronic myelogenous leukemia patients with imatinib or interferon alpha/ara-C.
We sought to determine dynamics of BCR-ABL mRNA expression levels in 139 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in early chronic phase, randomized to receive imatinib (n=69) or interferon (IFN)/Ara-C (n=70). The response was sequentially monitored by cytogenetics from bone marrow metaphases (n=803) and qualitative and quantitative RT-PCR from peripheral blood samples (n=1117). Complete cytogenetic response (CCR) was achieved in 60 (imatinib, 87%) vs 10 patients (IFN/Ara-C, 14%) after a median observation time of 24 months. Within the first year after CCR, best median ratio BCR-ABL/ABL was 0.087%, (imatinib, n=48) vs 0.27% (IFN/Ara-C, n=9, P=0.025). BCR-ABL was undetectable in 25 c…
Multicenter phase II study of oral idarubicin in treated and untreated patients with B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Idarubicin is the first anthracycline that can be administered orally facilitating antineoplastic chemotherapy at an improved quality of life. In different studies idarubicin has proved clinical effectiveness in patients with advanced low grade non Hodgkin's lymphoma. We performed a phase II study in 19 patients with untreated and pretreated B-CLL of Binet stage A-C. Idarubucin was administered orally at a dose of 15 mg/m2 over 3 days every 4 weeks. Of 19 evaluable patients (m:f, 16:3, median age 64 years, range 41-80 years) 7 were previously untreated while 12 patients had received prior therapy with fludarabine, chlorambucil or similar non-anthracycline containing regimens. 12 pts had Bin…