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Limongi T, Susa F, Cauda V. Nanoparticles for hematologic diseases detection and treatment. HEMATOLOGY & MEDICAL ONCOLOGY 2019; 4:1000183. [PMID: 33860108 PMCID: PMC7610588 DOI: 10.15761/hmo.1000183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nanotechnology, as an interdisciplinary science, combines engineering, physics, material sciences, and chemistry with the biomedicine knowhow, trying the management of a wide range of diseases. Nanoparticle-based devices holding tumor imaging, targeting and therapy capabilities are formerly under study. Since conventional hematological therapies are sometimes defined by reduced selectivity, low therapeutic efficacy and many side effects, in this review we discuss the potential advantages of the NPs' use in alternative/combined strategies. In the introduction the basic notion of nanomedicine and nanoparticles' classification are described, while in the main text nanodiagnostics, nanotherapeutics and theranostics solutions coming out from the use of a wide-ranging NPs availability are listed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Limongi
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Susa
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Cauda
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy
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Wetzler M, Thomas DA, Wang ES, Shepard R, Ford LA, Heffner TL, Parekh S, Andreeff M, O'Brien S, Kantarjian HM. Phase I/II trial of nanomolecular liposomal annamycin in adult patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2013; 13:430-4. [PMID: 23763920 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2013.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 03/03/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment options for relapsed/refractory ALL in adult patients remain challenging. Annamycin is a highly lipophilic form of the anthracycline doxorubicin with the ability to bypass multidrug resistance mechanisms of cellular drug resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a phase I/II multicenter, open-label, study to determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of nanomolecular liposomal annamycin in adult patients with refractory ALL. RESULTS Thirty-one patients were enrolled; the MTD was determined to be 150 mg/m(2)/d for 3 days. Other than tumor lysis syndrome, there were 3 grade 3 mucositis which comprised the MTD determination. There was also 1 case each of grade 3 diarrhea, typhlitis, and nausea. After determining the MTD, a 10-patient phase IIA trial was conducted. Eight of the patients completed 1 cycle of the 3 days of treatment at the MTD. Of these, 5 (62%) had an efficacy signal with complete clearing of circulating peripheral blasts. Three of these subjects also cleared bone marrow blasts with 1 subsequently proceeding onto successful stem cell transplantation. CONCLUSION Single-agent nanomolecular liposomal annamycin appears to be well tolerated, and shows evidence of clinical activity as a single agent in refractory adult ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meir Wetzler
- Leukemia Section, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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Hunault-Berger M, Leguay T, Thomas X, Legrand O, Huguet F, Bonmati C, Escoffre-Barbe M, Legros L, Turlure P, Chevallier P, Larosa F, Garban F, Reman O, Rousselot P, Dhédin N, Delannoy A, Lafage-Pochitaloff M, Béné MC, Ifrah N, Dombret H. A randomized study of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus continuous-infusion doxorubicin in elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the GRAALL-SA1 study. Haematologica 2010; 96:245-52. [PMID: 20971822 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2010.027862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the elderly is poor. The GRAALL-SA1 phase II, randomized trial compared the efficacy and toxicity of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin versus continuous-infusion doxorubicin in patients 55 years or older with Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia. DESIGN AND METHODS Sixty patients received either continuous-infusion doxorubicin (12 mg/m(2)/day) and continuous-infusion vincristine (0.4 mg/day) on days 1-4 or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (40 mg/m(2)) and standard vincristine (2 mg) on day 1, accompanied by dexamethasone, followed at day 28 by a second cycle, reinforced by cyclophosphamide. End-points were safety, outcome and prognostic factors. RESULTS Myelosuppression was reduced in the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin arm with shorter severe neutropenia (P=0.05), shorter severe thrombocytopenia (P=0.03), and fewer red blood cell transfusions (P=0.04). Grade 3/4 infections and Gram-negative bacteremia were reduced in the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin arm (P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively). There was a trend towards fewer cardiac events among the patients who received pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (1/29 versus 6/31). The complete remission rate was 82% and, with a median follow-up of 4 years, median event-free survival and overall survival were 9 and 10 months, respectively. Despite the better tolerance of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, no differences in survival were observed between the two arms, due to trends towards more induction refractoriness (17 versus 3%, P=0.10) and a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (52% versus 32% at 2 years, P=0.20) in the pegylated liposomal doxorubicin arm. CONCLUSIONS With the drug schedules used in this study, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin did not improve the outcome of elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia despite reduced toxicities.
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Offidani M, Corvatta L, Malerba L, Marconi M, Leoni P. Infectious Complications in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Experience at One Single Center. Leuk Lymphoma 2009; 45:1617-21. [PMID: 15370214 DOI: 10.1080/10428190410001683660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Literature provides no specific data concerning the type and the risk factors for infection in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We retrospectively analyzed 97 adult ALL patients who underwent conventional chemotherapy during a 14-year period with the aim to assess the incidence and the factors affecting onset and outcome of infections. We found that during induction therapy 50% of patients developed infection, mainly caused by gram-negative bacteria and with a mortality rate of 11%. In multivariate analysis age > 60 years was significantly associated with more infections (P = 0.04) and higher related mortality (P = 0.03). Moreover, in 22% of patients infectious complications occurred during consolidation or maintenance therapy. Mortality rate of these infections, mostly due to opportunistic pathogens, was 16%. Factors affecting mortality was the cumulative dose of methylprednisolone given during induction therapy ( < or = 2600 mg = 31% vs. > 2600 mg = 69%; P = 0.03). Among neutropenic patients, adults with ALL represent a peculiar population since they frequently develop gram negative infections during induction and opportunistic infections during post-remission treatments. Advanced age and high-dose methylprednisolone result the major risk factors for infection related mortality in the former therapeutic phase and in the latter one, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Offidani
- Clinica di Ematologia, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto I, Ancona, Italy.
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Offidani M, Corvatta L, Malerba L, Marconi M, Catarini M, Centurioni R, Leoni F, Scortechini AR, Masia MC, Leoni P. Comparison of two regimens for the treatment of elderly patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Leuk Lymphoma 2009; 46:233-8. [PMID: 15621806 DOI: 10.1080/10428190400019917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents a rare malignancy in the elderly and few authors have specifically focused on the treatment of ALL in this setting. We recently published the results of a prospective phase II study comprising an induction therapy with vincristine, Daunoxome and dexamethasone (VDXD) given to 15 patients aged 60 years. Here, we update the results after enrolling 17 patients, and we compare these with the results obtained in 17 elderly patients treated according to the GIMEMA ALL 0288 protocol. With the VDXD combination, elderly ALL had a higher CR rate (76.5%) than with the 0288 protocol (41%), and it was likely due to both lower induction mortality (17.5% vs. 35%) and a less resistant disease (6% vs. 24%). Infectious complications were more frequent with the VDXD combination whereas non-hematological side effects were comparable. Despite the similar DFS obtained with the two induction treatments, median EFS (3.9 months with 0288 vs. 12.8 with VDXD; p = 0.0486) and OS (4.5 vs. 21 months; p = 0.0239) were significantly higher with the VDXD regimen. In elderly ALL patients the administration of high-dose daunorubicin as a liposomal compound is feasible and seems able to improve CR rate, EFS and OS without increase in toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Offidani
- Clinica di Ematologia, Università Politechnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto I, Ancona, Italy.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND General therapeutic options for adult patients with acute leukemia are reviewed and specific new treatment strategies are described. OBJECTIVE Treatment results and controversial issues on current and future antileukemic strategies are discussed. METHODS Data in this review came from the published literature. RESULTS/CONCLUSION In the past years, striking new developments have been noticeable in the treatment of adult acute leukemia. However, the overall outcome of adult acute leukemia remains poor, particularly in older patients. Intensive chemotherapy remains the standard for leukemia treatment but several approaches using new cytotoxic agents seem promising. Therapeutic targeting of specific biologic abnormalities present in the leukemia cell population might, in a near future, improve outcome of adult leukemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Thomas
- Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Service d'Hématologie, Leukemia Unit, Department of Hematology, 69437 Lyon Cedex 03, France.
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New agents for the treatment of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Curr Hematol Malig Rep 2008; 3:135-43. [DOI: 10.1007/s11899-008-0020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Candoni A, Michelutti A, Simeone E, Damiani D, Baccarani M, Fanin R. Efficacy of liposomal daunorubicin and cytarabine as reinduction chemotherapy in relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia despite expression of multidrug resistance-related proteins. Eur J Haematol 2006; 77:293-9. [PMID: 16856922 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2006.00708.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of relapsed adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is frequently unsuccessful with current chemotherapy regimens, and often there is an overexpression of multidrug resistance (MDR)-related proteins. Liposomal encapsulation makes daunorubicin (DNR) less sensitive to the efflux effect of P-glycoprotein (PGP), and in vitro data indicate that liposomal-encapsulated DNR (Daunoxome-DNX) is more toxic than DNR against ALL cell lines. In this study, we assessed the in vivo and in vitro efficacy and toxicity of DNX plus cytarabine (Ara-C) as reinduction chemotherapy in 25 relapsed ALL patients (pts). The expression of MDR-related proteins (PGP, MRP1 and LRP) was also analysed. Of the 25 pts, 12 were males and 13 females; median age was 32 yr (range 18-58). Six cases were ALL T and 19 ALL B; eight pts were Ph+ (32%), and nine Bcr-Abl+ (36%). The expression of MDR-related proteins, and DNR and DNX retention and induction of apoptosis in leukaemic cells were evaluated in all cases. Seventeen of 25 (68%) pts were at first relapse and eight (32%) at second or subsequent relapse. The DNX was given in a dose of 80 mg/m(2)/d (days 1-3) in 11/25 pts (44%) and in a dose of 100 mg/m(2)/d (days 1-3) in 14/25 pts (66%). In all pts, Ara-C was administered in a dose of 2 g/m(2) (days 1-5). Twenty pts (80%) achieved a complete remission (CR) and two (8%) entered a partial remission (PR) for an overall response (OR) rate of 88% (22/25), with a tolerable toxicity and without significant cardiotoxicity. Before the start of DNX therapy, 18/25 (72%) cases overexpressed at least one MDR-related protein compared with 9/25 (36%) cases with MDR overexpression at diagnosis (P = 0.01). Taking into account the small number of cases, the response rate was not affected by MDR expression and the in vitro results also showed a higher uptake and apoptotic cell death by DNX compared with DNR. Twelve pts subsequently underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (11 unrelated donor BMT, and one sibling BMT). The overall survival was 39% after 12 months. These data show the efficacy (OR rate 88% and CR rate 80%) of DNX plus Ara-C as reinduction therapy in very poor-risk ALL pts and the response rate seems not to be affected by MDR overexpression. Moreover, the high rate of remissions and the good clinical tolerance in heavily pretreated pts suggest a promising role of DNX in ALL chemotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Candoni
- Division of Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medical and Morphological Researches (DMMR), University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
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Abstract
Although the median age for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is older than 60 years, relatively few of these patients have been enrolled on prospective clinical trials. The presence of coexisting medical disorders and unfavorable cytogenetic and biologic disease characteristics within this population presents considerable challenges for successful treatment using conventional chemotherapy programs. Selected patients have achieved remission and long-term survival following intensive chemotherapy. Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome (BCR/ABL)-positive ALL is particularly common among older patients. The availability of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors is changing the prognosis for this challenging subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Larson
- Department of Medicine and the Cancer Research Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Glasmacher A, Hahn C, Hoffmann F, Naumann R, Goldschmidt H, von Lilienfeld-Toal M, Orlopp K, Schmidt-Wolf I, Gorschlüter M. A systematic review of phase-II trials of thalidomide monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Br J Haematol 2006; 132:584-93. [PMID: 16445831 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05914.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The activity of thalidomide in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma is widely accepted but not yet demonstrated in a randomised-controlled trial. A systematic review of the published clinical trials of these patients could reduce the possible bias of single phase-II studies. A systematic search identified 42 communications reporting on 1674 patients. Thirty-two trials used an escalating dosing regimen and four a fixed dose regimen (one dose with 50 mg/d, three doses with 200 mg/d). The target dose in the dose escalating trials was 800 mg/d in 17 trials, 400-600 mg/d in 10 and 200 mg/d in one trial. The intention-to-treat population for efficacy was 1629 patients with a median age of 62 years. The complete and partial (>50% reduction in monoclonal protein) response rate was 29.4% (95%-confidence interval, 27-32%). The rates for minor responses or stable disease were 13.8% (12-16%) and 11.0% (9-13%). Progressive disease was reported in 9.9% (8-11%). The median overall survival from all trials was reported at 14 months. Severe adverse events (grade III-IV) included somnolence 11%, constipation 16%, neuropathy 6%, rash 3%, thrombo-embolism 3%, cardiac 2%. In conclusion, thalidomide monotherapy achieved complete and partial responses in 29.4% of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Glasmacher
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Abstract
AbstractAlthough the median age for adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is older than 60 years, relatively few of these patients have been enrolled on prospective clinical trials. The presence of coexisting medical disorders and unfavorable cytogenetic and biological characteristics within this population presents considerable challenges for successful treatment using conventional chemotherapy programs. Selected patients have achieved remission and long-term survival following intensive chemotherapy. Preliminary data using several new agents that have shown promise for patients with ALL are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Larson
- Department of Medicine and the Cancer Research Center, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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Alberts DS, Muggia FM, Carmichael J, Winer EP, Jahanzeb M, Venook AP, Skubitz KM, Rivera E, Sparano JA, DiBella NJ, Stewart SJ, Kavanagh JJ, Gabizon AA. Efficacy and safety of liposomal anthracyclines in Phase I/II clinical trials. Semin Oncol 2004; 31:53-90. [PMID: 15717738 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2004.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Preclinical studies have established the pharmacologic advantages of liposomal anthracyclines, including pharmacokinetic profiles after bolus dosing that resemble continuous infusion of conventional anthracyclines, increased drug concentrations in tumor cells compared with the surrounding tissues, and reduced toxicity relative to conventional anthracycline treatment. Based on these studies, many phase I and phase II clinical trials were conducted to assess the safety and potential activity of liposomal anthracyclines in the management of both solid and hematologic tumors. These studies provided valuable insight into the safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil/Caelyx [PLD]), nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Myocet [NPLD]), and liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome [DNX]) over a range of doses, either as single-agent therapy or in combination with other cytotoxic agents. Other liposomal anthracyclines in development may be well tolerated but their activity remains to be elucidated by clinical trials. The available data also suggest that liposomal anthracyclines have activity not only against tumor types with known sensitivity to conventional anthracyclines, but also potentially for tumors that are typically anthracycline-resistant. Despite the availability of clinical data from a wide variety of tumor types and patient populations, further studies of liposomal anthracycline therapy are needed to fully establish their safety, efficacy, and dosing in the treatment of these patients.
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Clavio M, Venturino C, Pierri I, Garrone A, Miglino M, Canepa L, Balleari E, Balocco M, Michelis GL, Ballerini F, Gobbi M. Combination of liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome), fludarabine, and cytarabine (FLAD) in patients with poor-risk acute leukemia. Ann Hematol 2004; 83:696-703. [PMID: 15322763 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-004-0927-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2004] [Accepted: 07/12/2004] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sixty-two patients with high-risk acute leukemia were treated with the FLAD regimen [3 days of treatment with fludarabine 30 mg/m(2), cytarabine (AraC) 2 g/m(2), and liposomal daunorubicin 80 mg/m(2)]. The acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients were either refractory to standard induction regimens (8), were in first or second relapse (13), or received therapy as first-line treatment [21 patients, 16 were above 60 years of age and 5 had post-myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) AML]. The acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients were treated for relapsed (7) or refractory disease (10). Three patients had chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the blastic phase. FLAD was well tolerated by most patients. Ten major infectious complications were recorded while no signs of cardiac toxicity were observed. Five patients (8%) died before day 28 with hypocellular marrow, mainly of infection or hemorrhage, and response could not be evaluated. Complete response rate was 62% and 69% among AML patients treated at diagnosis or for relapsed disease, respectively, and 59% among the ALL patients. Furthermore, FLAD managed to overcome the negative impact of poor prognosis karyotype in ALL patients, since five of the seven patients with t(9;22) or complex karyotype achieved complete remission (CR). Nine patients underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Among the AML patients who were treated at diagnosis or for relapse, the median duration of CR was 7 months (range: 2-18) and 8 months (range: 2-26), respectively. Median survival among these patients was 8 (range: 1-40) and 12 (range: 1-30) months, respectively. Similar values were found in ALL patients. In conclusion, FLAD may be an effective alternative treatment for patients with relapsed AML and for patients with ALL who failed first-line therapy.
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MESH Headings
- Acute Disease
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Cytarabine/adverse effects
- Cytarabine/therapeutic use
- Daunorubicin/adverse effects
- Daunorubicin/therapeutic use
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Female
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/complications
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid/complications
- Leukemia, Myeloid/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid/genetics
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/complications
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy
- Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics
- Recurrence
- Risk Factors
- Survival Rate
- Vidarabine/adverse effects
- Vidarabine/analogs & derivatives
- Vidarabine/therapeutic use
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Affiliation(s)
- Marino Clavio
- Departments of Haematology and Oncology, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, N 6, 16132, Genova, Italy
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Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a rare disease in the elderly. The prevalence of ALL in patients >60 years of age is reported to be between 16% and 31% of all adult cases. The biology of ALL in older patients seems to be significantly different from that in younger patients and may, at least in part, explain poor treatment outcome. Immunophenotyping and cytogenetic characteristics are among the most important biological differences in comparison with younger adults. The frequency of pre B-cell ALL and common ALL is higher and T-cell ALL subtype is under-represented in elderly populations compared with younger patients. The frequency of the Philadelphia chromosome also seems to increase with age and adversely influences complete remission rate and survival. Few reports on the effectiveness and toxicity of therapeutic programmes concerning exclusively older patients with ALL have been published so far and only some of them were prospective studies. In some of the studies age-adapted approaches have been applied in which protocols processed earlier for younger patients have been adopted for older patients. In such modified protocols chemotherapy was usually less aggressive, especially if it was given for patients with comorbidities and poor performance status. Consequently, in several studies elderly patients received suboptimal treatment. Death during induction chemotherapy was observed in 7-42% of the patients in particular reports. The overall response rate varied from 12% to 85%. The median overall survival (OS) durations in patients who received a curative approach ranged from 3 to 14 months and from 1 to 14 months in patients treated palliatively. Poor performance status, comorbidities and high early mortality during intensive chemotherapy are the main reasons for poor treatment results and short OS time. New therapeutic approaches are necessary to improve the outcome in this age group of patients with ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadeusz Robak
- Department of Hematology, Medical University of Lodz and Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland.
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