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BCRP mRNA expression v. clinical outcome in 40 adult AML patients.

Efflux pumps are considered being mechanisms behind drug resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). A recently described efflux pump, breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), can be expressed in AML, but its clinical importance is uncertain. In this study BCRP mRNA expression was determined in samples from 40 AML patients by real-time RT-PCR. The expression varied from negative to 76 times that of control cells. There was no difference in BCRP mRNA expression between patients responding to induction treatment and non-responders. However, in the group of responders, the 14 patients with the highest expression had significantly shorter overall survival (mean 38 months, SEM 15 months) than the 14 patients with the lowest (74 months, SEM 16 months) (P = 0.047). This suggests a possible role of BCRP in drug resistance in AML.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Mem↗

HLA-DR-negative AML (M1 and M2): FLT3 mutations (ITD and D835) and cell-surface antigen expression.

FLT3 mutations and cell-surface antigen were investigated in 29 DR-negative (DR(-)) M1/M2 AML samples in comparison with 30 DR-positive (DR(+)) M1/M2 AML samples. FLT3-ITD was detected in 59.3% and D835 was detected in 7.4% of the samples. The incidence of FLT3-ITD was higher in the DR(-) group (59.3%) than in the DR(+) group (17.9%; P=0.002). The DR(-) status was associated with the CD34(-) (82.8%), CD7(-) (92.9%) and CD45RO(+) status (76%). Our results indicated that FLT3 mutation is the most common gene alteration found in the DR(-) M1/M2 AML. These results are important for further characterizing this phenotypic AML entity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A phase I study of induction chemotherapy for older patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using mitoxantrone, etoposide, and the MDR modulator PSC 833: a southwest oncology group study 9617.

Older patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) have overexpression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp+), and this has been shown to correlate quantitatively with therapeutic outcome. Since Pgp-mediated efflux of cytotoxic drugs can be inhibited by the cyclosporine analogue, PSC 833, we investigated the use of this agent with a 5-day mitoxantrone/etoposide regimen in patients over age 55 with newly diagnosed AML. Previous studies suggested a 33% incidence of grade IV/V non-hematologic toxicity with the use of mitoxantrone 10 mg/M(2) and etoposide 100 mg/M(2), each for 5 days, in this patient population. Since PSC 833 alters the pharmacokinetic excretion of MDR-related cytotoxins, this phase I dose-finding study was performed to identify doses of mitoxantrone/etoposide associated with a similar 33% incidence of grade IV/V non-hematologic toxicity, when given with PSC 833. Mitoxantrone/etoposide (M/E) doses were escalated in fixed ratio from a starting dose of M: 4 mg/M(2) and E: 40 mg/M(2), to M: 7 mg/M(2) and E: 70 mg/M(2), in successive cohorts of eight patients each. PSC 833 was well tolerated and the MTD of this M/E regimen with PSC 833 in this population was M: 6 mg/M(2) and E: 60 mg/M(2). The complete response (CR) rate for all patients was 50% (15/30) and was considerably higher for de novo than for secondary AML. These data suggest that the addition of PSC 833 to an M/E regimen for older patients with untreated AML is well tolerated but requires a reduction in M/E dosing to avoid increased toxicity.

Acute Disease↗

The final phase in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML): a study of cause of death, place of death and type of care during the last week of life.

The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge of the final phase in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a period which entails many complex medical and psychosocial decisions. Data on cause and place of death were gathered through a retrospective review of medical and nursing records of 106 patients with AML who had died during 1995-1997. We focused on the actual phase of the disease and to what extent the patients were prescribed palliative care. With increased knowledge of the dying process in AML there are options to discuss which approach would be the most preferred final phase for an AML patient.

Acute Disease↗

CD34 and CD117 are overexpressed in AML and may be valuable to detect minimal residual disease.

We estimated by quantitative flow cytometry (FC) the expression of CD13, CD33, CD34 and CD117 antigens in cells from 64 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and 22 normal bone marrows (BMs). The method converts fluorescence intensity into number of antigen molecules per cell, measured by antibody binding capacity (ABC). The number of molecules per cell in normal BM was 9.5+/-5.7 for CD13, 7+/-2.3 for CD33, 6+/-0.7 for CD34, and 6.3+/-1.5x10(3) for CD117. AML blasts expressed 11.4+/-12.4 molecules per cell for CD13, 9.5+/-9.7 for CD33, 74+/-2328.5 for CD34 and 12.5+/-33 x 10(3) for CD117. The number of CD34 and CD117 molecules were significantly higher in AML than in normals (P<0.0001 and P<0.05, respectively) while only in a few cases, CD13 and CD33 were abnormally expressed in myeloblasts. Our results indicate that quantitative analysis of CD34 and CD117 may be useful to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) and could be tested in a future to monitor therapy in AML.

Adolescent↗

Translocation (1;11)(q23;p15), a novel simple variant of translocation (7;11)(p15;p15), in a patient with AML (M2) accompanied by non-Hodgkin lymphoma and gastric cancer.

We describe a case of an acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) associated with t(1;11) (q23;p15), which is a novel simple variant translocation of t(7;11)(p15;p15). The patient was a Japanese man who had a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and received MACOP-B combination chemotherapy. Fifteen months after the completion of the treatment, the patient developed AML (M2), which was regarded as a therapy-related leukemia. Cytogenetic study of bone marrow cells showed t(1;11). Although he achieved complete remission by combination chemotherapy, a relapse of NHL and gastric cancer were revealed in the course of the consolidation chemotherapy for AML. The NHL was considered a histological conversion from follicular lymphoma because lymphoma cells carried t(14;18) (q32;q21) and were strongly positive for BCL2 protein. Translocation (1;11), together with AML having t(7;11) or inv(11) involving 11p15, shows that 11p15 is a common acceptor site of these chromosome aberrations and suggests the significance of the NUP98 gene located in 11p15 in therapy-related leukemia.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5614 inhibits VEGF-induced endothelial cell sprouting and induces growth arrest and apoptosis by inhibition of c-kit in AML cells.

OBJECTIVE: Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation, is a critical process during growth and metastasis of solid tumors and might also represent a promising therapeutical target in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: In this study, we analyzed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)-1/2 and its ligand VEGF in AML cell lines and characterized the inhibitory activity of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor SU5614 on human endothelial and leukemic cells. RESULTS: Intracellular VEGF expression was detected in 9 of 10 leukemic cell lines. In contrast, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression was restricted to 6 and 2 out of 10 cell lines, respectively. Although SU5614 was a potent inhibitor of the VEGF-induced endothelial cell sprouting in vitro, the sensitivity of leukemic cells toward the growth inhibitory activity of the compound was determined by the c-kit, but not by the VEGFR-1/2 expression. SU5614 induced growth arrest and apoptosis in c-kit-expressing Kasumi-1, UT-7, and M-07e cells and inhibited the stem cell factor (SCF)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of c-kit. The sensitivity of Kasumi-1 cells towards the growth inhibitory activity of SU5614 was caused by an autocrine production of SCF, but not by transforming mutations of c-kit. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide strong evidence that SU5614 has a dual mode of action, and by direct inhibition of c-kit in AML cells and by inhibition of VEGFR-2 in endothelial cells, it might represent a novel treatment option for patients with c-kit+ AML.

Acute Disease↗

Role of the transcription factor AML-1 in acute leukemia and hematopoietic differentiation.

Chromosomal translocations affecting the AML-1 gene are among the most frequent aberrations found in acute leukemia. Because the AML-1 transcription factor is a critical regulator of hematopoeitic cell development, normal homeostasis is disrupted in cells containing these translocations. In this review we describe the mechanisms of transcriptional activation and repression by AML-1 and how this transcriptional control is disrupted by the chromosomal translocations that affect AML-1. Finally, we discuss how the mechanism of transcriptional repression by these chromosomal translocation fusion proteins is a possible target of therapeutic intervention in acute leukemia.

Acute Disease↗

Cytosine arabinoside, etoposide and aclarubicin (AVA) for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients (age > or = 60 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have unfavourable prognoses when polychemotherapy regimens are used, because therapy response is characterized by low remission rates, short remission duration and high toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A phase II trial in elderly AML patients was conducted to determine the efficacy of two induction courses of a moderately-dosed combination of aclarubicin (25 mg/m2, 30 min i.v., days 1-4), etoposide (100 mg/m2, 30 min i.v., days 1-3) and conventional-dose cytosine arabinoside (ara-C, 100 mg/m2, c.i.v., days 1-3 and 30 min i.v., q 12 hours, days 4-7) (AVA-7), followed by one consolidation treatment using a reduced-dose schedule over five days (AVA-5) after three months in CR. RESULTS: Thirty-two AML patients with a median age of 66.2 years (range 60-76) were included in the study: three of them had histories of preexisting myelodysplasia and one of polycythemia vera. Following 1-2 courses of AVA-7 17 patients (53%) achieved CR, two PR (6%), and nine had resistant disease (28%); the overall response rate was thus 59%. Toxicity was significant but acceptable, with an overall treatment-related death rate of five of 32 patients (16%) after 63 courses of AVA. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 12 months, and the median survival of all patients was 16.6 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the combination of aclarubicin, etoposide and conventional-dose ara-C is effective in elderly AML patients. The relatively brief remission duration requires new consolidation and maintenance therapy approaches.

Aclarubicin↗

Growth factor receptor profile of CD34+ cells in AML and B-lineage ALL and in their normal bone marrow counterparts.

Leukaemic cells show a low clonogenic activity and a heterogeneous proliferative response to growth factors. We investigated whether this could be due to an altered expression of growth factor receptors on the leukaemic precursors. Receptors for G-CSF, stem cell factor (SCF), IL-3, IL-6 and IL-7 were detected on CD34+ cells in AML and B-lineage ALL with monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. The expression was compared with that on myeloid and B-lymphoid CD34+ cells in normal bone marrow. Leukaemic CD34+ cells expressed the same receptors as their normal counterparts. AML and B-lineage ALL could be distinguished by the growth factor receptor profile of their CD34+ cells. SCFR, G-CSFR and IL-6Ralpha were found in AML, IL-7R in B-lineage ALL and IL-3Ralpha in both. IL-3Ralpha was upregulated in AML and B-lineage ALL CD34+ cells, while samples with low or high expression were present for the other receptors. This variable expression could correlate with the heterogeneous response of leukaemic cells to growth factors. Functional studies on isolated CD34+ cells are needed to investigate this further.

Acute Disease↗

Bone marrow transplantation for paediatric AML in first remission: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

For children with AML in CR1, the major consolidation therapies are BMT, ABMT and intensive chemotherapy. The relative effectiveness of these strategies is still debated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials to determine the effectiveness of BMT and ABMT in CR1 in paediatric AML. Eligible studies enrolled patients <21 years from 1985 to 2000 with AML in CR1. Two groups of studies were identified: (1) Those comparing the outcome of patients with and without a histocompatible family donor; and (2) Randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing ABMT with non-myeloablative chemotherapy. The relative risk statistic was calculated for outcomes of interest in each trial. If there was no excessive heterogeneity between trials the results were pooled, and an overall relative risk and risk difference for treatment effect across trials were calculated. Results of the analysis showed that allocation to BMT reduced risk of relapse and improved disease-free and overall survival. For ABMT, heterogeneity of effect between RCTs prevented pooling of results. In conclusion, BMT from a histocompatible family donor improves patient outcome. Data are insufficient to determine whether this is true for all subgroups of AML, and whether ABMT is superior to non-myeloablative chemotherapy. An individual patient data meta-analysis is required to further evaluate the available data.

Adolescent↗

Myeloablative conditioning regimens for AML allografts: 30 years later.

During the last three decades, several myeloablative conditioning regimens have been used for AML allografts. In this review, we systematically examine the data from studies reporting on myeloablative conditioning regimens for AML allografts. High-dose busulfan combined with cyclophosphamide (BuCy) and cyclophosphamide in combination with total body irradiation (CyTBI) are the two most commonly used conditioning regimens for AML allografts. From the available data, there are no significant differences in survival with these two regimens. A small benefit of decreased relapse rate with CyTBI is counterbalanced by a nonsignificant increase in treatment-related mortality. The incidence of veno-occlusive disease is significantly higher in patients treated with BuCy. Therapeutic monitoring of busulfan was not reported in any of the studies comparing the regimens. Either of the regimens can be used for AML allografts, and the choice may ultimately depend on local availability and expertise. Further improvements may be possible from modifications of the standard regimens. Data from these latter studies seem to be encouraging, but are not based on comparative randomized trials.

Acute Disease↗

Expression of Bcl-2-related genes in normal and AML progenitors: changes induced by chemotherapy and retinoic acid.

The expression of Bcl-2 family members was examined in normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells. Immature hematopoietic progenitor cells (CD34+/33-/13-) did not express Bcl-2 but Bcl-XL, the majority of CD34 cells expressed Bcl-2, Bcl-XL and BAD, and normal promyelocytes (CD34-/33+) lacked expression of both Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL, while leukemic CD34+progenitors and promyelocytes expressed these anti-apoptotic proteins. In AML, Bcl-2 expression was higher on CD34+ than on all AML cells, however, expression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL did not predict achievement of complete remission. Surprisingly, low Bcl-2 content was associated with poor survival in a group of patients with poor prognosis cytogenetics. The anti-apoptotic BAD protein was found to be expressed in AML, but was phosphorylated in 41/42 samples. Phosphorylation was found at both sites, Ser 112 and Ser 136. During induction chemotherapy, Bcl-2 levels of CD34 cells increased significantly. In the context of evidence for small numbers of leukemic CD34+ cells expressing very high levels of Bcl-2 prior to therapy, this finding is interpreted as a survival advantage of Bcl-2 overexpressing progenitors and rapid elimination of cells with low Bcl-2. Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL were both expressed in minimal residual disease cells. Downregulation of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was observed by ATRA and the combination of Ara-C, followed by ATRA, resulted in markedly increased cytotoxicity in HL-60 cells, as compared to Ara-C alone or ATRA followed by Ara-C. Implications of these findings for the development of new therapeutic strategies for AML are discussed.

Acute Disease↗

High Bad and Bax mRNA expression correlate with negative outcome in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The search for molecular markers in AML that allow prediction of outcome has recently focused on genes involved in the regulation of programmed cell death (PCD). The aim of our study was to determine whether mRNA levels of Mdm-2, Bcl-2, Bcl-x(L), Bad, and Bax are independent prognostic parameters for outcome. Transcript levels were analyzed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 232 samples collected either at diagnosis or following induction chemotherapy (ICT). Multivariate COX regression analysis adjusted for chemotherapy protocol, de novo vs secondary AML, and de novo vs relapsed AML indicated: (1) At diagnosis, high expression of Bad (P = 0.015) and even more so high Bax and Bad levels (P = 0.018) predicted adverse outcome, regardless of the response to ICT. In patients who subsequently failed to enter complete remission (CR), high levels of Bad, Bax and Bax high/Bad high were associated with an increased relative risk (RR) to die from tumor (RR = 5.0 for Bad, 3.4 for Bax and 6.14 for Bax high/Bad high). (2) Following ICT, high expression of Bax (P= 0.005) and high Bcl-2/Bax ratios (P = 0.004) were independent predictors of unfavorable outcome, regardless of response to ICT. We conclude that high levels of Bax and Bad correlate with poor outcome, particularly in patients who do not enter CR and may serve as prognostic markers in AML.

Acute Disease↗

Increased expression of the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Expression of the multidrug resistance proteins P-glycoprotein, encoded by the MDR1 gene, multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1) and the lung resistance-related protein or major vault protein (LRP/MVP) is associated with clinical resistance to chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Recently, the breast cancer-resistant protein (BCRP), the equivalent of mitoxantrone-resistant protein (MXR) or placental ABC transporter (ABCP), was described in AML. We investigated MDR1, MRP1, LRP/MVP and BCRP mRNA expression simultaneously in 20 paired clinical AML samples from diagnosis and relapse or refractory disease, using quantitative Taqman analysis. In addition, standard assays for P-glycoprotein expression and function were performed. BCRP was the only resistance protein that was expressed at a significantly higher RNA level (median 1.7-fold, P = 0.04) at relapsed/refractory state as compared to diagnosis. In contrast, LRP/MVP mRNA expression decreased as disease evolved (P = 0.02), whereas MDR1 and MRP1 mRNA levels were not different at relapse as compared to diagnosis. Also, at the protein level no difference of MDR1 between diagnosis and relapse was found. A significant co-expression of BCRP and MDR1 was found at diagnosis (r = 0.47, P = 0.04). The present results suggest that BCRP, but not MDR1, MRP1 or LRP/MVP is associated with clinical resistant disease in AML.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Constitutive NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity in AML is frequently mediated by a Ras/PI3-K/PKB-dependent pathway.

In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism responsible for constitutive NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity in AML cells. Intervening in aberrant signaling pathway provides a rational approach for in vivo targeting of AML cells. Constitutive NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity was observed in 16 of 22 (73%) investigated AML cases and was, in general, associated with resistance to spontaneous apoptosis. Indeed, inhibition of NF-kappaB activity by the NF-kappaB inhibitor SN-50 peptide resulted in enhanced chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. In the majority of cases, constitutive NF-kappaB activity was mediated by a Ras/PI3 kinase (PI3-K)/protein kinase B (PKB)-mediated pathway. The PI3-K inhibitor Ly294002 and the Ras inhibitor L-744832 both inhibited PKB phosphorylation and NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity. The constitutive activation of Ras GTP-ase was caused by mutations in the gene encoding for N-Ras in 29% of the cases. The constitutive NF-kappaB activity could so far not be ascribed to the autocrine production of growth factors or to mutations in the Flt3 receptor, since anti-GM-CSF, -IL-1, -IL6, -TNFalpha or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1296 did not affect the NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity. The present study demonstrates that Ras activation is an important pathway for triggering the NF-kappaB pathway in AML cells.

Acute Disease↗

Infectious complications in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: analysis of the prospective multi-institutional clinical trial AML-BFM 93.

Infections still remain a major cause of therapy-associated morbidity and mortality in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To improve supportive care measurements, detailed information on frequency and characteristic features of infectious complications is needed. We retrospectively analyzed the medical charts of 304 children, treated in 30 hospitals according to the multi-institutional clinical trial AML-BFM 93. Overall, 855 infectious complications occurred in 304 patients (fever without identifiable source (n=523; 61.2%), clinically (n=57; 6.7%) and microbiologically documented infections (n=275; 32.1%)). Neutropenia was present in 74.1% of the infectious episodes. In all, 20 patients died of infection-associated complications (15/276 (5.4%) patients without and 5/28 (17.9%) with Down syndrome), most of them during early induction therapy (n=11). Blood stream infections occurred in 228 episodes (Gram-positive (n=202) and Gram-negative (n=42) pathogens). Invasive fungal infection was probable or proven in 15 patients. In 113 out of the 855 infectious episodes (13.3%), pneumonia was radiologically diagnosed. Better strategies of supportive care might help to improve overall survival in children undergoing chemotherapy for AML. Therefore, children with AML should be treated in specialized pediatric centers, and there should be a very low threshold to readmit patients, in particular patients with pulmonary symptoms.

Acute Disease↗

Cooperation of activating Ras/rtk signal transduction pathway mutations and inactivating myeloid differentiation gene mutations in M0 AML: a study of 45 patients.

According to a two hit model of leukaemogenesis, the association between acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)1 mutations and FLT3 gene alterations has been recently described in M0 AML. To further document this model in M0 AML, we screened a cohort of 45 patients to find an association between genes implicated in myeloid differentiation (AML1, Pu1) and genes contributing to cell proliferation: (FLT3, N-RAS, K-RAS, c-KIT, PTPN11). No mutation of the Pu1 gene was observed, whereas mutation in the Runt domain of AML1 gene was observed in 12 of 45 patients (27%). No point mutation or insertion-deletion in the c-kit gene was found. Three point mutations (7%) and 11 internal tandem duplications (22%) were seen in FLT3 gene. Two N-Ras and one PTPN11 mutations were found. No significant correlation between AML1 mutation and FLT3 alteration was found. On the other hand, abnormal cytogenetic findings, especially unfavourable ones, were significantly more frequent in patients without detectable molecular abnormality. These findings suggest at least two different pathogenetic pathways in M0 AML: one associated with AML1 mutation, sometimes in combination with the activating lesion of the tyrosine kinase pathway and generally with normal karyotype, and the other with unfavourable cytogenetic findings.

Acute Disease↗