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N Gökbuget

Publications and source records attributed to N Gökbuget.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Immunophenotypic and genotypic features, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcome of adult pro-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia: results of the German multicenter trials GMALL 03/87 and 04/89.

In contrast to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the cell-biological features, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcome of CD10(-) pro-B ALL have not yet been determined in larger series of adult patients. Therefore, we studied 57 adult patients with newly diagnosed pro-B ALL (median age, 30 years) enrolled in two consecutive German multicenter ALL studies (03/87 and 04/89). Extensive immunophenotypic characterization of leukemic blasts could be performed on all patients, whereas adequate cytogenetic data were available in 33 cases and molecular studies in 18 cases, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to detect MLL-AF-4 transcripts. Twenty-two patients demonstrated a t(4;11)(q21;q23) and/or MLL-AF-4 rearrangements, and 6 patients had other structural abnormalities, including a t(9;22)(q34;q11) (N = 2). Nine patients had a normal karyotype. Patients with 11q23 abnormalities tended to be younger (median age, 29 years) and were characterized by male predominance (64%), hyperleukocytosis (median leukocyte count, 168 x 10(9)/L), and a frequent coexpression of CD65s (64%) as compared with patients with other cytogenetic abnormalities or a normal karyotype. Twelve of 16 (75%) pro-B ALL patients in study 03/87 and 30 of 41 (73%) in study 04/89 achieved a complete remission (CR). Sixteen of 30 patients in study 04/89 remain in continuous CR (CCR) in contrast to only 2 of 12 patients in study 03/87. Interestingly, all 7 patients treated with high-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone as consolidation in study 04/89 remain alive and leukemia-free. One patient in study 03/87 and 8 in study 04/89 underwent autologous (N = 2) or allogeneic (N = 7) bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The median remission duration was 420 days for patients in study 03/87 and has not yet been reached in study 04/89. The median survival time of all pro-B ALL patients was 571 days in study 03/87 and 747 days in study 04/89. Among the 22 patients with a t(4;11) and/or MLL-AF-4 rearrangements, 17 achieved a CR and 8 are still in CCR, of whom 4 underwent an allogeneic BMT. Remission duration and overall survival did not differ significantly between pro-B ALL patients with 11q23 abnormalities and those with a normal karyotype or other structural abnormalities. These data indicate that intensification of postremission treatment may improve the prognosis of adult pro-B ALL, including patients with a t(4;11).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

High rate of chromosome abnormalities detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization using BCR and ABL probes in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The value of dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with BCR and ABL probes for the detection of the Philadelphia (Ph) translocation and of other alterations involving ABL and/or BCR was evaluated in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). One hundred and four patients were studied prospectively using interphase nuclei FISH, chromosome analysis (CA), and PCR assays for the chimeric BRC/ABL transcript. FISH detected a Ph translocation in 24 cases (23.1%), as was confirmed by CA and/or PCR. FISH revealed a false positive diagnosis of a Ph translocation in four cases (5% false positive rate). Among 54 cases with combined FISH, CA and PCR assays, FISH failed to establish a correct diagnosis in 3.7%, PCR in 5.6%, and CA in 7.4%. The combination of two screening methods led to discrepant results in 9.3% (FISH + PCR), 11.1% (FISH + CA), or 13% (CA + PCR) of the cases. In seven of 80 (8.8%) Ph-negative patients, gain of BCR and/or ABL was identified. Overall, FISH detected alterations of the BCR and/or ABL genes with an incidence of 29.8% of the current study. Due to the possibility of false positive diagnosis of a Ph translocation using dual-color FISH the combination with chromosome and/or RT-PCR analyses is recommended in adult ALL patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Morphological and cytochemical findings in 150 cases of T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in adults. German Multicentre ALL Study Group (GMALL).

We evaluated the morphological findings in 150 consecutive cases of T-lineage acute lymphocytic leukaemia (T-ALL). Cytochemistry including PAS staining and acid phosphatase reaction proved of limited value for the diagnosis of ALL. The diagnosis of acute leukaemia was easy to establish in most instances. However, in a few cases the leukaemic cells were difficult to recognize as blasts. The nuclei of such cells showed condensed chromatin and nucleoli were lacking, and was encountered particularly in thymic ALL. Basophilic cytoplasm combined with prominent vacuolization suggestive of mature B-ALL (ALL-L3 type), was observed in 16 cases. Other features, however, such as cell size, polymorphism, chromatin structure, sparse cytoplasm or focal positivity for acid phosphatase, excluded a diagnosis of ALL-L3 in those cases. Distinction from hybrid leukaemia was difficult in 20 cases, because of a low percentage of peroxidase-positive blasts or other features which suggested a separate myeloid leukaemia component. In nine of these the hybrid nature of the leukaemia was considered as certain on the basis of morphology. Seven cases had been diagnosed as biphenotypic with coexpression of myeloid and lymphoid markers by immunological techniques. In conclusion, our analysis showed some serious pitfalls of the morphology in T-ALL, clearly indicating the need for immunological analysis of the leukaemic cells. However, morphology remains an essential component of the diagnostic repertoire, especially when the marrow is difficult to aspirate and in cases with equivocal immunological findings. Furthermore, recognition of a separate myeloid leukaemic component in addition to the lymphatic one requires a morphological analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Vindesine in the treatment of leukaemia.

Despite lack of cross-resistance with vincristine and a somewhat different toxicity spectrum, the semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid, vindesine, has not yet achieved its expected potential in the treatment of acute leukaemias. The ability of vindesine to induce remissions in vincristine-resistant and relapsed ALL is of particular interest for the development of potentially curative second-line regimens. Vindesine may also have a role in consolidation strategies for de novo ALL, although it will be difficult to demonstrate specific advantages for this agent as part of a multidrug treatment approach. In myeloid leukaemias, while vindesine appears to have a limited role in ANLL, it may be useful for the palliative treatment of CML blast crisis. In the future, new synergistic combinations, incorporating vindesine with for example, methotrexate or edatrexate, may be developed.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1996

Improved outcome in adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

A total of 68 adult patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) were treated in three consecutive adult multicenter ALL studies. The diagnosis of B-ALL was confirmed by L3 morphology and/or by surface immunoglobulin (Slg) expression with > 25% blast cell infiltration in the bone marrow (BM). They were characterized by male predominance (78%) and a median age of 34 years (15 to 65 y) with only 9% adolescents (15 to 20 y), but 28% elderly patients (50 to 65 y). The patients received either a conventional (N = 9) ALL treatment regimen (ALL study 01/81) or protocols adapted from childhood B-ALL with six short, intensive 5-day cycles, alternately A and B. In study B-NHL83 (N = 24) cycle A consisted of fractionated doses of cyclophosphamide 200 mg/m2 for 5 days, intermediate-dose methotrexate (IdM) 500 mg/m2 (24 hours), in addition to cytarabine (AraC), teniposide (VM26) and prednisone. Cycle B was similar except that AraC and VM26 were replaced by doxorubicin. Major changes in study B-NHL86 (N = 35) were replacement of cyclophosphamide by ifosphamide 800 mg/m2 for 5 days, an increase of IdM to high-dose, 1,500 mg/m2 (HdM) and the addition of vincristine. A cytoreductive pretreatment with cyclophosphamide 200 mg/m2, and prednisone 60 mg/m2, each for 5 days was recommended in study B-NHL83 for patients with high white blood cell (WBC) count (> 2,500/m2) or large tumor burden and was obligatory for all patients in study B-NHL86. Central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis/treatment consisted of intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) therapy, later extended to the triple combination of MTX, AraC, and dexamethasone, and a CNS irradiation (24 Gy) after the second cycle. Compared with the ALL 01/81 study where all the patients died, results obtained with the pediatric protocols B-NHL83 and B-NHL86 were greatly improved. The complete remission (CR) rates increased from 44% to 63% and 74%, the probability of leukemia free survival (LFS) from 0% to 50% and 71% (P = .04), and the overall survival rates from 0% to 49% and 51% (P = .001). Toxicity, mostly hematotoxicity and mucositis, was severe but manageable. In both studies B-NHL83 and B-NHL86, almost all relapses occurred within 1 year. The time to relapse was different for BM, 92 days, and for isolated CNS and combined BM and CNS relapses, 190 days (P = .08). The overall CNS relapses changed from 50% to 57% and 17%, most probably attributable to the high-dose MTX and the triple intrathecal therapy. LFS in studies B-NHL83 and B-NHL86 was significantly influenced by the initial WBC count < or > 50,000/microL, LFS 71% versus 29% (P = .003) and hemoglobin value > or < 8 g/dL, LFS 67% versus 27% (P = .02). Initial CNS involvement had no adverse impact on the outcome. Elderly B-ALL patients (> 50 years) also benefited from this treatment with a CR rate of 56% and a LFS of 56%. It is concluded that this short intensive therapy with six cycles is effective in adult B-ALL. HdM and fractionated higher doses of cyclophosphamide or ifosphamide seem the two major components of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

High-dose methotrexate in the treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The application of high-dose treatment elements has an increasing importance in the therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) has been introduced in clinical trials more than 20 years ago, since it has several theoretical advantages compared to conventional dose methotrexate. These trials revealed that the efficacy and toxicity of HDMTX depends on features such as dose level, infusion time, combination regimen and schedule of leucovorin rescue. Particularly the application of controlled leucovorin rescue and improved supportive care enabled the application of increasing doses of HDMTX in the treatment of childhood and adult ALL within a variety of schedules and at dose levels mostly ranging between 0.5 g/m2 and 5.0 g/m2. In childhood ALL, first devised to replace CNS irradiation in the prophylaxis of CNS relapse HDMTX has contributed to the reduction of bone marrow relapses particularly in low risk B-lineage ALL. In addition it proved to be an effective therapy element for prophylaxis and treatment of CNS disease. At least in low risk ALL CNS irradiation could be safely replaced by repeated cycles of HDMTX with additional intrathecal therapy. In adult ALL only few of the successful treatment approaches with HDMTX have been investigated up to now. The results indicate that HDMTX has a beneficial effect with regard to overall outcome in adult B-lineage ALL. It provides effective CNS prophylaxis in combination with intrathecal therapy. In mature B-ALL HDMTX proved to be one of the most effective treatment elements and contributed to an impressive improvement of outcome in this subgroup. For T-ALL however sufficient data do not exist either in childhood or in adult ALL. Since HDMTX is an effective treatment element with manageable acute and long-term toxicity, its role in the management of adult ALL should be explored more intensively.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Prognostic significance of additional chromosome abnormalities in adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The clinical and biological significance of additional chromosome aberrations was investigated in a large series of 66 adult patients with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Additional chromosome changes were observed in 71% of the cases. 9p abnormalities were identified in 26%, and monosomy 7 as well as hyperdiploid karyotypes 50 were both found in 17% of cases. 9p anomalies were characterized by a low complete remission (CR) rate (58%) and an extremely short median remission duration (MRD: 100 d). In patients with monosomy 7, the poor treatment outcome was confirmed (CR rate 55%: MRD 113 d). In contrast, all patients with hyperdiploid karyotypes 50 achieved CR, and the overall survival was superior to all other Ph-positive ALL patients except those without additional chromosome aberrations. Exclusive rearrangement of the minor breakpoint cluster region of the BCR gene and lack of coexpression of myeloid-associated antigens in cases with 9p anomalies as well as a high frequency of rearrangements of the major breakpoint cluster region of the BCR gene in patients with monosomy 7 (89%) further substantiated that additional chromosome aberrations may characterize distinct subgroups of Ph-positive ALL. Moreover, the necessity of the complementing use of chromosome banding analyses, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, and fluorescence in situ hybridizations in the accurate identification of Ph-positive patients has become evident due to variant Ph translocations in 3%, and negative PCR assays in 4% of the cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Meningeosis leukaemica in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

This review addresses diagnosis of CNS involvement, incidence and treatment of CNS disease at time of diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of CNS relapse and risk factors for meningeal recurrence in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). At the time of diagnosis meningeosis leukaemica is present in about 6% (1-10%) of the adult ALL patients with a higher incidence in ALL subgroups T-ALL (8%) and B-ALL (13 %). With the invention of early additional CNS directed therapy it no longer represents an unfavourable prognostic factor. In the absence of prophylaxis meningeal relapses occur in approximately one third of adults with ALL. A literature review including more than 4000 adult ALL patients showed for the different prophylactic treatment approaches the following CNS relapse rates: intrathecal therapy alone 13% (8-19%), intrathecal therapy and CNS irradiation 15% (6-22%), high dose chemotherapy 14% (10-16%), high dose chemotherapy and intrathecal therapy 8% (2-16%) and high dose chemotherapy, intrathecal therapy together with CNS irradiation 5% (1-12%). It became obvious that the early onset of intrathecal therapy and CNS irradiation and the continuation of intrathecal administrations throughout maintenance are essential. The most favourable results where achieved with high dose chemotherapy combined with intrathecal therapy and/or CNS irradiation. The majority of treatment regimens in adult ALL already include high dose chemotherapy in order to reduce the risk of bone marrow relapse. The outcome of patients with CNS relapse is still poor. Although a remission can be induced in the majority of patients (> 60%) it is usually followed by a bone marrow relapse and the survival is poor (< 5-10%). Bone marrow transplantation might be in adults at present the only curative approach.

Adult↗